Even before the bell rang in the first round Filipinos in Dubai on Sunday were are already up on their feet cheering for Manny Pacquiao for his much-awaited battle against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto. Since Sunday is the first day of the week in the Middle East, many Filipino workers were already prepared to get late for work. A Filipino bar in Dubai which showed the pay-per-view fight had an added attraction – their own round girls.
In the first two rounds, OFWs and even other nationals who favored Pacquiao were uneasy. They all seemed nervous that Pacman, as Pacquiao is popularly called, might suddenly be outfought by the bigger and equally fast Cotto. But in the third round, the adrenalin of Filipinos again increased as Pacquiao started connecting punches and a left-right combination sent Cotto to the canvas for the first time. In the succeeding rounds, Pacquiao had already overwhelmed Cotto until finally in the 12th round, the referee stepped in to stop the fight. The jubilation of OFWs ensued as Pacman sealed in a new mark in boxing history, his seventh world title in a different category – the WBO welterweight division. “Mabuhay ka Manny!”, “Number 1 Manny Pacquiao, the best pare, the best,” the Filipinos were heard shouting. “Masaya at si Pacquiao laging panalo,” said another.
Other nationals said they believe Pacquiao has only one mission left – to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. “I want Manny Pacquiao to fight Mayweather cause I think he’ll beat him” said one, while another said: “Great victory, great fight!” ABS-CBN Middle East management said the Pacquiao-Cotto fight was witnessed by about 200,000 OFWs, thru pay-per-view of The Filipino Channel.
published @ ABS-CBN
