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Philippines celebrate Pacquiao's victory

Reuters | 12/07/2008 5:22 PM

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MANILA - Filipinos burst into wild applause and cheers in bars, cinemas and open air stadiums across the country on Sunday after local boxing hero Manny Pacquiao defeated American Oscar de la Hoya.

Pacquiao, widely regarded the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, stunned 10-times world champion De La Hoya with an eighth-round TKO in their non-title fight in Las Vegas.

"It was a great fight," Romeo de Vera told Reuters in a packed bar in Manila's business district.

"Manny proved to be a better, more skilful fighter. He's too fast and classy than de la Hoya," de Vera added.

"Manny makes us all Filipinos proud with his stunning victory."

Manila's streets were mostly deserted on Sunday morning and early afternoon as millions were glued to television sets to watch the fight.

Most police officers were off the streets, confident criminals would also be watching the bout, a police officer said in a radio interview.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called to congratulate Pacquiao for his victory, describing it as "testament to the spirit of the Filipino."

"You're a hero," Arroyo said in a statement issued by her press office.

Eduardo Ermita, the president's executive secretary, said Pacquiao's victory came at just the right time.

"His win would boost the morale of the Filipino people at this time of economic hardship and difficulties," Ermita, who was an undefeated boxer during his days at the military academy, told reporters in Manila.

Across the archipelago, local officials and politicians put up giant screens in public parks and gyms for the people to watch.

In Manila's financial district, cinemas, bars and restaurants were charging 500 pesos ($10) to watch the fight.

"The fight is worth the money," Billy Leyritania told Reuters.

"Manny made us proud and happy. I won't mind paying 5,000 pesos ($100) for that match. It's a good fight all throughout."

A radio station reported Pacquiao's two-year old daughter, Princess, threw punches in the air and cheered in Pacquiao's hometown of General Santos City in southern Philippines.