THE die is cast. The mega fight that everybody is raving about is at last going to happen on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Boxing enthusiasts, including Dabawenyos, are going gaga over the factthat undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr. is finally meeting Filipino ring warrior Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight showdown considered to be "boxing's richest ever".
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) executive director Atty. Guillermo B. Iroy Jr. said, "It's the money fight of the century. Whoever wins or lose will receive his money and pay the internal revenue while the watching public all over the world will bet on it for the promoter to get their investment and income."
Christopher "Bong" Go, executive assistant of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, said: "Of course, Manny will win. Manny is the better fighter and arguably the best in the field right now. That's why Floyd kept on avoiding him because he will surely get his first taste of defeat."
Veteran journalist Edwin G. Espejo, who has covered a handful of Pacquiao's fights, said, "The fight everybody is waiting for. No need to add more than say `Thank you' to the two of them."
For ALA Boxing Gym head coach Edito Villamor, "Fight of the century. Nindot jud ni nga duwa puros 50-50 ang chances sa duha ka boxer wala jud ta kahibalo kung kinsa ang modaug nila (It's one great fight, it's a 50-50 chance for both boxers. We don't know who will win)."
Amateur Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) national women's boxing coach Roel Velasco added, "Pinakamagandang laban ito kasi parehas silang may pinanghahawakan na ayaw magpapatalo."
Here's what the others have to say: "Finally, the world will now be able to see who is this generation's best boxer in the world. A clash of ring titans indeed." - Peter Laviña, former city councilor and Davao City Sports Council president
"I can't wait to watch the fight. Mag-ipon nako para mu-avail ug (I'll have to save to avail) pay-per-view hehehe. It's now or never. Nilampas na sila sa ilang (they are over their) peak pero this will still be an exciting match-up. Of course gusto nako kulatahon ni Manny pag-ayo si Mayweather hehehe (I want Manny to give Mayweather a beating)." - Cholo Elegino, former officer-in-charge of the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office
"It's about time. Of course, my best is with Manny. May takot si Floyd." - City Councilor Leonardo Avila III
"The fight we've all been waiting for has finally come! Mayweather is still unbeaten but Pacquiao is still as fearsome and relentless as ever and at the top of his game. Pacquiao's hand will be raised as the victor in the end." - Bern Rexander Tacay, Davao City Philippines Shotokan Karatedo Association chief instructor
"Happy. It can be one of the most colorful and historic fight in the century. Mayweather has the edge as he is only focused on boxing while Pacquiao is focused on his personal life. Prediction is 60-40 for Pacquiao, unless iyang ibalik tung Pacquiao dati nga focus (he regains his old focused self)." - William I. Ramirez, SDD-CMO OIC
"Pacquiao has not been his old self in his past fights. I believe Mayweather's natural spunk and the balance approach of aggressiveness then smart boxing gives him a good advantage." - Noli Ayo, Ateneo de Davao University athletics director
It's indeed a welcome development having this generation's best pound for pound kings meet on the ring. Who knows it will not just be for one fight. (With Karlo R. Pates)