Hundreds of boxing fans watch Pacquiao-Morales fight at World Resort

Hundreds of boxing enthusiasts, mostly Filipinos and locals, filled up the Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall and Redbox to watch the live via satellite broadcast of the final boxing rivalry between Filipino boxer and national icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Mexico’s Erik “El Terrible” Morales.

The audience shouted and clapped their hands in jubilation when the bout ended with Pacquiao knocking out Morales in two minutes and 57 seconds into the third round.

More than 700 watched the bout live from Las Vegas at two giant screens and many TV sets at the hotel’s Royal Taga Ballroom and Redbox.

The fans cheered wildly when Pacquiao staggered Morales in the second round by hitting him with his left fist as El Terrible tried to corner him.

Boxing fans yelled and stood up as Pacquiao sent Morales on the floor early in the third round by unleashing a barrage of punishing punches.

The fans raised their fists as Pacquiao’s left fist left Mexico’s three-time world champion seated on the canvas and shaking his head that signaled the end of their scheduled 12-round bout.

MCV system manager Mark Birmingham, said it was a great fight and that 600 people watched in the Royal Taga Hall and about 80 more in the VIPs (Redbox).

“The World Resort had a great job putting it on and we look forward to having more fights here,” Birmingham said.

Ray Austin, the hotel’s beverage manager, said about 700 or 750 people came. He said they had to refuse some people from coming because tickets were sold out.

“It’s a very exciting fight. Mostly Filipino community came. They had a great time. And it’s good to see those events happening on Saipan…people getting together. And I’m sure there will be a big celebration tonight,” Austin said.

“It’s very exciting. I love it. From the start it was a little bit slow but Pacquiao was ready, he was very strong and no one can beat him right now,” Austin added.

Jay Diyco, an accountant, said he had goose bumps.

“It was short but very exciting because there was a knockout. Boxing fans like to see knockouts,” Diyco said, adding that Filipino-Hawaiian Brian Viloria should have also won over Mexico’s Omar Nino and not a draw.

Lito Castanares, maintenance worker, said his $25 entrance fee was worth with as he was very satisfied with the event.

“I am very happy I was expecting a knockout,” Castanares said.

Tina Sablan, of the Division of Environmental Quality, said it was short but an awesome fight.

Police Officer J.J. Cabrera said he definitely enjoyed the fights.

“The first fight should have been Viloria, I don’t know what happened. But Pacquiao’s fight was awesome,” Cabrera said.

Dubbed “The Grand Finale,” it was the third fight between Pacquiao and Morales.

Pacquiao lost a 12-round decision to Morales last year. But the “Pacman” avenged it by stopping Morales in the 10th round rematch last January.

In the undercard fight that ended up with a draw, it was a rematch between Viloria and Nino’s of their Aug. 10 WBC championship contest in which Nino handily defeated Viloria.

The boxing event was sponsored by Budweiser and SaipanCell Communications. The fight was aired through the help of MCV TV Broadband, ABS CBN TFC, and Dial Rent-To-Own.