Philippine madhouse as country awaits Pacquiao-Larios

MANILA, Philippines – All of the Philippines collectively holds their breath as Manny Pacquiao prepares to face Oscar Larios of Mexico. The front page of every newspaper is plastered with images of the two fighters. Philippine television stations are running segments showing Larios and Pacquiao in training as well as interviews with boxing personalities Michael Buffer, Dave Bontempo and Colonel Bob Sheridan.

Here in the Philippines the Larios-Pacquiao fight is simply known as “the fight.” Ask any Filipino on the street if they’ll be at the fight and most will say “No, the tickets are too expensive but I’ll be watching it on TV!” Co-promoters Manny Pacquiao and the ABS-CBN have been roundly criticized by fans and the Philippine press for setting ticket prices too high for the average Philippine to afford; ringside seats were originally $1000 however were reduced to $600.

Sunday morning when the fight takes finally place, the madness in the Philippines that has surrounded the fight will subside and the country will stand still, all eyes on their icon. As one Filipino scribe noted, “If Manny Pacquiao does happen to lose, the spirit of the Filipino people will be shattered.” Odds are they have nothing to worry about however; Larios has stated publicly he will make Manny Pacquiao pay for using him as a steppingstone to Erik Morales.