SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – He is truly every Filipino’s pride.
This was how Nueva Vizcaya Vice Gov. Jose Gambito described Filipino boxing champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao following his 12th round decisive win over Ghanaian warrior Joshua Clottey yesterday.
“Once again, Manny our man proves he is the best pound-for-pound fighter. Definitely, he’s every Filipino’s pride. We take our hats off to Manny,” said Gambito.
Residents of this province’s commercial town filled the 7,000-capacity Tomas Dacayo Community Center, watching in excitement the live telecast of the much-awaited Pacquiao-Clottey showdown that was sponsored by the municipal government led by Mayor Philip Dacayo.
Many viewers, however, were not satisfied with Pacquiao’s latest match compared to his previous fights.
“Manny came to fight. Unfortunately, his rival only showed how to defend himself and that made the fight boring,” said Floro Taguinod, of neighboring Bayombong town.
“Definitely, (Floyd) Mayweather (Jr.) could have been the better fighter. Clottey played like a punching bag of Pacquiao,” said Francis Cabrito of this town.
Betting among neighbtors was not as active as before, as if the outcome of the fight were a foregone conclusion even before the actual match-up took place. – Charlie Lagasca