Phillippines wild after Manny win
Güncelleme Tarihi:
The Associated Press
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 04, 2009 00:00
MANILA, Philippines - Army troops and Muslim guerrillas briefly stopped fighting and traffic ground to halt in the Philippines on Sunday as locals rejoiced at the stunning victory of national hero Manny Pacquaio.
The 30-year-old Pacquiao knocked out England's Ricky Hatton with a ferocious left hook to the jaw late in the second round, abruptly ending the light welterweight bout in Las Vegas.
"The fighter who'll bring down Manny hasn't been born yet," said Melissa Palaran, who was selling corn cobs outside a Manila basketball stadium, where 15,000 Filipinos watched the match on six huge screens. "Even the U.S. president can't beat Pacquiao. Manny for president," motorcycle taxi driver Jesus Guasis said.
In a country that has grappled with deep political divisions for years, Pacquiao has created a fanatical following that bridges the divide between rich and poor.
Muslim rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu said many members of the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front trooped back to their communities to watch the bout.
"They came from the fields. They haven't even warmed their seats and it was over," Kabalu said of the match. "I wish our rebellion can be done as quickly."
"The fighter who'll bring down Manny hasn't been born yet," said Melissa Palaran, who was selling corn cobs outside a Manila basketball stadium, where 15,000 Filipinos watched the match on six huge screens. "Even the U.S. president can't beat Pacquiao. Manny for president," motorcycle taxi driver Jesus Guasis said.
In a country that has grappled with deep political divisions for years, Pacquiao has created a fanatical following that bridges the divide between rich and poor.
Muslim rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu said many members of the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front trooped back to their communities to watch the bout.
"They came from the fields. They haven't even warmed their seats and it was over," Kabalu said of the match. "I wish our rebellion can be done as quickly."