The Philippines on Sunday erupted in jubilation after boxing icon Manny Pacquiao dominated American fighter Shane Mosley in a 12—round bout in Las Vegas.
“Manny is a class by himself,” Ricardo Mallari, a 24—year—old call centre agent who watched the fight in a restaurant in central Manila.
“I don’t think Mayweather would ever muster enough courage to fight Pacquiao after seeing this fight,” said Macky Pineda, a janitor, referring to rival Floyd Mayweather Junior, who once accused the Filipino boxer of using performance—enhancing drugs.
Politicians and local government officials throughout the country sponsored live broadcasts of the fight in gyms, basketball courts and other open spaces so people would not miss the bout.
Spectators at a covered basketball court in suburban Quezon City clapped their hands and cheered wildly every time Pacquiao hit his American opponent.
Pacquiao, the world’s number one pound—for—pound fighter, outboxed Mosley throughout the fight, scoring a knockdown in the third round.
The judges scored the fight 119—108, 120—108, 120—107, all in favour of Pacquiao.
