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Filipinos set aside political problems Sunday and celebrated boxing
superstar Manny Pacquiao’s sensational WBC superfeatherweight
victory over Mexico’s Juan Miguel Marquez.
Construction workers in Manila’s Makati
financial district crowded around a radio which broadcast the fight
live and erupted in cheers as judges announced a split decision in
favor of the Filipino, making him world champion.
The military, which earlier declared a special
ceasefire to allow soldiers to watch the fight, put up a giant
screen at the army headquarters.
President Gloria Arroyo, who has rejected calls
to step down over alleged corruption, watched the match from the
presidential palace with family and friends.
“Once again, the PacMan has proven that the
Filipino can excel in any endeavor and that we can all be united as
a nation for the interest of our country,” Arroyo spokeswoman
Lorelei Fajardo said in a statement, referring to the boxer’s
nickname.
“The president has watched the game and
she’s very happy for Manny’s victory,” she said.
Arroyo also personally greeted Pacquiao on the
telephone, she said.
“This was the toughest fight for me,”
Pacquiao said over Manila radio station DZBB. “This fight was not
just for me, this was for the Filipino people.”
“Pacquiao was so good. We were initially
afraid he was going to lose, but he fell Marquez in the earlier
rounds and all was good,” said Hector, a laborer as he held a beer
in one hand.
Separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
rebels who are negotiating a peace settlement with the government
also eased their patrols to watch the fight.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said guerrillas were
also told to enjoy the fight, and rally round a fellow Filipino.
“There are no longer Muslims and Christians.
Manny is a great Filipino today. Today, there is no war. We are busy
celebrating,” Kabalu said from his base in southern Mindanao
island.
In a sizzling rematch of their 2004 fight, which
ended in a draw, one judge gave Marquez a 115-112 decision while
another saw Pacquiao the winner by the same margin. The decisive
third judge gave the bout to Pacquiao 114-113.
Pacquiao was expected to receive nearly $5
million from the battle, with Marquez taking home about $1.5
million.
-- AFP
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