Pinoy fans confident of Pacquiao victory

LAS VEGAS — Filipino fans of Manny Pacquiao came in droves and lined up at the main gate of the MGM Grand Grand Arena as early at 8:00 in the morning just to have a glimpse of their boxing idol at the official weigh-in of the Pacquiao-Bradley 2 fightcard that was open to the public for free.

Either by decision or by knockout, most of them are highy optimistic that Pacquiao will come out victorious over Bradley, proving once more that the Filipino spirit is alive and bubbly every time the Pacman shows off his punching skills on US soil.

"It's Pacquiao by decision. He's strong and he looks good and I'm confident he will beat Bradley this time," said Matthew Herman, who hails  from the typhoon-ravaged Leyte.

For the Pampanga-native Mary Ann Cuevas, Pacquiao will win because "he's simply the best boxer out there."

Some, however, are longing for Pacquiao to dish out a decisive win to prove that he still has what it takes to be in the elite list of world's best pound-for-pound fighters.

"I want him to win by knockout because he was just too nice in the first fight," said Rudy Vistavilla, an Ilongo who now resides in San Diego, California. "I know he's itching for revenge and I believe he will get that."

While he's upbeat on Pacquiao's chances, Matther Herzanova of Taguig said the outcome of the match depends on what kind of Pacquiao will show up.

"It depends on what kind of Pacquiao will show up. If he's aggressive enough just like what he did against Juan Manuel Marquez, there's a highly probability that he's going to knock Bradley out. Pacquiao throws a lot of punches, he's got the speed and power. They has to use that advantage to the fullest. And for him to score a knockout, Pacquiao should set aside that 'Christian' thing first. If he can do that, he will surely be back on top of the pound-for-pound list," he said.

Like Herzanova, Camelot Buack, a resident of California who traces his roots from Agojo, La Union, also hopes for a win via stoppage, but he thinks Pacquiao would have a hard time accomplishing that because of Bradley's style.

"I would say I want a knockout, but I feel it's going to be a decision. Knowing the ability of Bradley, he won't let himself get knocked out by Pacquiao," said Buack. (FREEMAN)