Big fight overwhelms Pacquiao

LAS VEGAS – Two days before the big fight, Manny Pacquiao is starting to feel the tremendous weight on his shoulders.

As he rested Thursday morning inside his 51st floor suite of the fabulous Wynn Las Vegas, the Philippine pride said he’s very aware of how big this fight is being treated back home.

He thinks that Saturday’s battle against Mexico’s Erik Morales is even bigger in magnitude as compared to their first fight last March at the MGM Grand here in Vegas.

The native of Gen. Santos City lost that bout in bloody fashion. But he has picked up the pieces, knocking out Hector Velasquez last September leading to this rematch.

"I think it’s even triple," said Pacquiao from his two-bedroom suite offering a majestic view of Las Vegas and portion of the fast-growing state of Nevada and its mountains.

At night, the view is even more captivating with all the colorful lights of the huge number of hotels, resorts, casinos, shops, bars and restaurants from below.

"This fight is not just a fight for Manny Pacquiao. This fight is a fight for the entire Philippines," he said.

Back in the Philippines, millions and millions of Filipinos are eagerly awaiting the staging of the fight, which will be brought to their living rooms live via satellite.

A number of movie houses will air the fight live and with no commercials. Tickets priced at P300, when viewing is practically free at home, are selling super-fast.

The fight has also kept Filipinos based in the US glued on it. But unlike those back home, they have to shell out $44.99 to have the action brought to their screens via pay-per-view.

After an early 30-minute run inside the UNLV campus, where the fight venue, the Thomas and Mack Center, is located, Pacquiao rested the whole morning.

He had breakfast of "tinolang manok" or chicken broth and rice. Pacquiao slept a couple of hours and had a very light meal before working out at the IBA Gym, which is 10 minutes from the hotel.

He weighed 129 lbs prior to the workout and was safely inside the fight limit of 130 lbs. The official weigh-in is scheduled at 3 p.m. Friday, the eve of the fight.

Pacquiao was back in his suite before dark and received visitors until shortly after dinner. A couple of congressmen, a number of mediamen and other close friends were inside.

Pacquiao hit the sack at 8 p.m. It’s curfew time inside "Pacland" here.