CALL it the Manny Pacquiao effect. Streets stayed free of traffic. Police reported few crimes. And amid worries about a global economy in the doldrums, fans paid P150 to P160 for tickets to watch the Dream Match in cinemas, gyms and hotel ballrooms.

When Oscar de la Hoya declined to come out after the eighth round of the Las Vegas bout, the cheering and jeers rose to a roar.

“The Pacman was dela Hoya’s downfall,” said Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem immediately after the match. “Pacman was just too fast... Our prayers were answered.”

Jakosalem and Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama were part of the crowd in the Parklane Hotel, which opened its 700-seat Victoria Hall and 300-seat Eugenia Hall for a live telecast of the fight.

The tickets, which went for P650, were sold out, said Nerizza Borbajo, front office supervisor.

It was an eclectic mix of spectators that included the entertainer Budoy, lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo and Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal’s secretary Fr. Mhar Balili.

While the undercard fights were underway, most of the audience paid more attention to the buffet.

But every time Pacquiao’s face was flashed on screen—as he arrived at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas or when he was preparing his hand tape—people stopped and cheered.

De La Hoya, the richest and most marketable star in boxing before this fight, was booed only once, and his introduction even generated a couple of claps.

Rama, interviewed before the match, said he called up boxing promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud early yesterday morning to send well wishes to Pacquiao in behalf of the Cebu City Government.

“We extended our greetings of hope that everything will be fine. Expectations are undoubtedly high for the Cebuanos,” Rama told Sun.Star Cebu.

He called the fight “monumental.”

The first round provoked the fewest screams, while the crowd waited to see if de la Hoya’s height and reach advantage would do any damage. But as the second to the seventh rounds unfolded, and it was evident Pacquiao was in control, people began standing and punching the air.

The loudest scene was of course when Pacquiao was declared the winner by a technical knockout. People were on their feet.

Next up for the 29-year-old Filipino boxing superstar is a possible fight with England’s Ricky Hatton.

“That’s another great fighter and more of Pacquiao’s level. Oscar is a thing of the past. Hatton’s weight of 140 lbs. is also the right weight for Pacman,” said Jakosalem.
“That will be a good fight. That will in fact attract a lot of viewers,” said spectator RJ Abalos.

At the SM Cinema, every punch Pacquiao landed brought the crowd to its feet.

Some would say, “Kana Manny” (That’s it, Manny) while others would shout, “Tumbaha na na Manny (Knock him already, Manny)!” Still others would dictate Pacquiao what to do, as if they were at the 29-year-old world champion’s side.

“It was a good fight. I knew Manny would win because de la Hoya is already old and has slowed down, and he also went down in weight,” commented 62-year old boxing fan Ambrosio Villahermosa after the fight.

“He had a very good performance. He could hit de la Hoya at any angle. I was always optimistic that he would win even when he was still training for this fight,” said SM City Cebu security guard Rodulfo Lucar Jr.

Before the much awaited main event, the eager Pacman fans jeered because an earlier bout, between Danny Oscar Garcia and Luis Alfredo Lugo, was replayed. That was after the fight between World Boxing Organization super bantamweight titleholder Juan Manuel Lopez and Sergio Manuel Medina ended prematurely, following a knockout in the 98th second by Lopez.

After that, it was just a matter of time. Pacman’s fans waited to cheer their boxing hero in the biggest fight of his career against the biggest name in boxing—at least until yesterday. (JGA/EKA)

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(December 8, 2008 issue)
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