ACTING Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama asked Cebuanos to pray for Manny Pacquiao tonight, hours before the Filipino boxing superstar enters the ring as an underdog in tomorrow’s fight with Oscar de la Hoya.
Rama asked all Cebuanos to say a prayer before going to bed “for Manny to be protected” in this fight.
Even if Pacquiao will lose, he will still be an embodiment of a Filipino having “unquestionable courage.”
“I will be rooting for Manny, no matter the odds,” he said.
Before the fight was first announced, bookmakers in Las Vegas had de la Hoya a minus 185 favorite, which means that you need to bet $1.85 to win $1. Pacquiao was the underdog at plus 165, which means a $1 bet will win $1.65.
The odds tilted heavily in favor of de la Hoya in the next few months, climbing as high as minus 240 in mid-September. The odds, however, started to even out just days going into the event.
GMAnews.tv reported that last Monday, de la Hoya was at minus 185 and Pacquiao at plus 165 but last Friday (RP time), the Golden Boy’s odds dropped. He is now at plus 165, while Manny is now a plus 135 underdog.
But beating the odds is nothing new for Pacquiao. He was a stark underdog in his fight against then IBF super bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in 2001, a match he took on with just 14 days’ notice. He was again the underdog during his breakout win against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003.
Pacquiao won both fights by knockout.
Priority
Cebu officials have set aside appointments and other activities scheduled for tomorrow morning just so they can watch the Pacquiao-de la Hoya fight.
“His fight is the schedule,” said City Councilor Richard Osmeña, who will offer a pay-per-view (PPV) showing for south district barangay captains and neighbors in his home in Barangay Guadalupe.
Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella said that instead of attending to his Bohol farm with his two sons, as is his habit on weekends, they will watch the fight’s telecast together.
In Talisay City, Planning Officer Ariel Araw-araw marked off Dec. 7 in his calendar as soon as the fight was announced.
A known Pacquiao fanatic, Araw-araw said he and his family will have to attend an anticipated mass tonight so they can stay in the comfort of their Pardo home for tomorrow’s fight.
In Araw-araw’s City Hall office, a photo of him and Pacquiao is posted on the wall bearing the boxer’s autograph. It was taken during the boxing icon’s workout in Rex Wakee Salud’s gym in Labangon, Cebu City last year.
Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem said all the odds are stacked against Pacquiao, but he will still root for him.
He said that though dela Hoya has the bigger chance of winning, Pacquiao also has his advantages, which include his being at the peak of his career while dela Hoya is already on his decline.
Dangerous
He said the fight is the most anticipated and most nerve-wracking boxing match for Filipinos. The first six rounds, he added, will be the most dangerous for Pacquiao.
Acting Vice Mayor Hilario Davide III, a self-confessed non-boxing fan, said he will “of course hope he (Pacquiao) would win.”
Jakosalem said he already coordinated with the police in securing big venues offering PPV broadcasts to maintain peace and order because fights may break out, especially among those who are betting on the match.
“This is not to condone illegal betting, but we cannot stop the people from betting, so the police are needed to ensure peace and order,” he said.
He noted that Pacquiao’s fight with dela Hoya has generated the highest number of establishment in recent years offering PPV to customers and boxing aficionados.
Rama said he and several Cebu City councilors will troop to the Parklane Hotel to watch the fight.
Betting
Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor Mario Amores, meanwhile, said he is “emotionally” for Pacquiao but thinks de la Hoya has the edge in the fight.
Lapu-Lapu City Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Leo Mercado said he and Mayor Arturo Radaza always bet on Pacquiao’s Mexican opponents but still smile and feel proud even after losing the bets.
Mercado said he is betting P10,000 on de la Hoya because of his size.
Talisay City Councilor Rudi Cabigas, chairman of the sports commission, said it would be unpatriotic not to support Pacquiao in the fight.
“Whatever is the outcome of the fight, whether Pacquiao loses or wins, I will go for him all the way. This time, he needs our full support,” said Cabigas.
Cabigas’ luncheon meeting with his fellow subdivision officials in Lawaan 1, Talisay City has been canceled because of the fight. (RHM/ML/GC/AIV)
