Sadness and disappointment gripped Filipinos after Manny Pacquiao’s defeat in his much-anticipated fight against American Floyd Mayweather Jr. but they still considered the boxing icon a national hero.
Gymnasiums and other public venues where the 12-round fight was shown for free on Sunday lunchtime local time were quickly vacated after it was announced Pacquiao lost by unanimous decision. Herminio Coloma, a spokesman for President Benigno Aquino III, said “the country still holds its head high in the admirable fight of our National Fist.”
Some fans said Pacquiao should retire from boxing while others demanded a rematch. For thousands at a plaza in Marikina city, part of metropolitan Manila, the party mood was dampened not just by his loss but also a sudden downpour. Roland Purificacion, a 45-year-old pedicab driver who watched the fight on a huge television screen outside the Quiapo Church in central Manila, was disappointed but spoke for many of his compatriots when he said Pacquiao “is still the people’s champ. He is still our hero.”
Jose luis Nepomuceno, a 62-year-old retired congressional liaison officer, brought along his wife to watch the fight at the San Andres Sports Complex, one of nine public venues the city government set up for the public to watch the bout, partially funded by a popular department store.
Hundreds of soldiers and civilian employees and their families watched the fight at the grandstand inside the armed forces headquarters. The fight also was shown in camps throughout the country as a morale-booster.