Filipinos unite anew for Pacquiao, even for just a few hours

abs-cbnnews.com | 03/16/2008 1:19 AM

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The Filipino people will once again be united, even for just a few hours, to support their boxing hero, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao as he battles Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez in their much-awaited rematch on Saturday night (Sunday morning in the Philippines).

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Pacquiao, who is also called the "People’s Champ", will try to wrest the World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight title from Marquez.

Both boxers passed the weigh-in Friday at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Pacquiao, who showed off his toned body, came in at 129 pounds, while Marquez weighed in at exactly 130 pounds.

Both boxers looked strong and confident as they went side-by-side for the last time before the bout.

Boxing analyst, Ronnie Nathanielz, told ANC he sees a Pacquiao victory in 8 rounds.

Military ceasefire

The military announced Saturday it will briefly put on hold its battle against insurgents during the fight.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said the military will hold a unilateral ceasefire against the New People's Army (NPA) from 8 am Sunday to the end of Pacquiao's match.

"We will have a suspension of military operations with the NPA except when you have to act against the enemy," Esperon said.

He expressed hope that the NPA would reciprocate. "They shouldn't make trouble. Everybody wants to witness another win of Pacquiao."

While the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines are not expected to reciprocate formally, NPA fighters and their CPP cadres are expected to listen or watch the match, too.

No rally

An activist group meanwhile announced on Saturday that they will also hold off launching protest actions.

"No major protests are scheduled tomorrow (Sunday) as we join the Filipino people in wishing Manny Pacquiao the best in his fight vs Marquez. After this however we vow to pursue our own 'unfinished business' with the Arroyo regime as we hope to score a 'political knockout' eventually, no matted how many rounds it takes," Renato Reyes Jr. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general told abs-cbnNEWNS.com.

Zero crime

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it expects that the crime rate on Sunday will be low or may even reach the "zero-level" when People's Champion Pacquiao faces Marquez of Mexico.

Senior Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, PNP spokesman, said this was the trend whenever the prized boxer has a match here or abroad.

Bartolome said that majority of Filipinos usually tune in to Pacquiao's fights instead of doing other things.

Four years in the making

It took Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao and Marquez four years before facing off again in the ring.

In their 2004 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Pacquiao dropped Marquez thrice in the first round.

The Mexican dynamite, however, got up and stretched the fight to the full 12 rounds before it ended in a draw.

Pacquiao was then 25 years old, while Marquez was 30. The Mexican retained his WBC featherweight title.

Since then, Pacquiao has won seven fights against big names like Hector Velasquez (2005) Erik Morales (2006), Oscar Larios (2006), Marco Antonio Barrera (2007) and Jorge Solis (2007) -- all Mexicans.

He lost only once to Morales during their first outing in 2005.

Since then, Pacquiao has retained his WBC international super featherweight belt.

Marquez, meanwhile, has won six fights since that fateful night on May 8, 2004. These wins, indeed, were not big ones, except for Barrera in 2007. He also lost once to Chris John in 2006.

Marquez's wins include those against Orlando Salido (2004), Victor Pelo (2005), Terdsak Jandaeng (2006), Jimrex Jaca (2006), Marco Antonio Barrera (2007) and Rocky Juarez (2007).

Since then, Marquez has claimed and retained featherweight and super featherweight crowns from the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council.

Pacquiao: 100% confident

Pacquiao earlier said his confidence is at 100 percent as he left no stone unturned in preparing for his March 15 rematch with Marquez.

"This time, I am very focused and prepared. My confidence level is at 100 percent," Pacquiao was quoted as saying in a report posted on www.philboxing.com.

Pacquiao added that he is very much prepared to go toe-to-toe against Marquez.

The Filipino bomber said he prepared doubly hard this time since Marquez is no easy opponent.

He trained a full two months under the watchful eye of coach Freddie Raoch.

"This is why I really gave it my all in training this time. I told myself to feel how it was when Manny Pacquiao was just a struggling and poor fighter who was hungry for a win and determined in every fight," said Pacquiao.

Marquez: Pacquiao will have to sweat blood

Pacquiao would have to "sweat blood" to get the Mexican fighter's WBC super featherweight belt.

"I will not part with this belt. If Pacquiao wants it, he will have to work very hard and willing to sweat blood on the ring," Marquez said at the grand welcome at Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.

Marquez had said he anticipates a more violent fight with Pacquiao as he said both of them had improved since their last face-off.

"Well it's going to be different because, obviously, it's now four years later, and I have acquired more experience… I think I have more speed. Manny Pacquiao has also changed. He has become a different fighter because of the styles. That's why I'm saying that it's going to be totally different," said Marquez.

"I'm going to use a mixture of aggression, counter-punching lateral movement, but above all, my intelligence as a boxer to defeat Manny," said Marquez earlier.

"Manny is very strong but he's not technical. Manny doesn't like it when you go looking for the fight. He doesn't know how to back up. He's called a terminator of Mexican fighters but with me, no," he added.

"I'm telling you again that I'm going to demonstrate who's better and I'll win this one. Then I'll be happy to give Manny a rematch but only if he accepts the smaller purse."

Fans, VIPs

Filipino fans, including celebrities, are also in Las Vegas to support Pacquiao, among them, couple Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino, father and son tandem Eddie and Raymond Gutierrez, and superstar Nora Aunor.

Politicians who are regular viewers of Pacquiao's matches were also present, among them, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, and former Ilocos Sur governor Luis 'Chavit' Singson.

Vice President Noli de Castro is also expected to support "Pacman" at ringside.

as of 03/16/2008 1:19 AM