Of late Las Vegas has been chosen as the venue for most title fights in boxing, although some still look on Madison Square Garden in New York because maybe of the memories of countless Muhammad Ali fights. Promoters like Bob Arum or Oscar de la Hoya and his Golden Boy Promotions almost always have their large fights staged at the gambling capital of the United States.
One of my trips to the city coincided with a big fight - the third Morales versus Pacquiao fight and it generated so much media mileage that I joined the throng of boxing enthusiasts to the fight venue. True to my observation the spectators were mostly supporters of the protagonists, both pro Mexican and Filipinos alike. This is evident by the thousands of country
mini flags waved by the crowd.
When both fighters entered the ring and were officially announced, country flags were at the center ring as the National Anthem of the US, Mexico and the Philippines were sang. Each country had singers and at the end of the Anthem the atmosphere at the venue is already fever pitch and everybody was anticipating a good fight.
So, when the bell signaling the start of the bout sounded everybody was on edge as each boxer delivered devastating punches. Midway through the third round Pacquiao connected with a series of combinations that sent Morales reeling and from then on pandemonium broke loose. And before you know it the fight was stopped and the winner raises both his fists, a TKO.
Again, the Philippine flag was displayed and carried around the ring, announcing to the world the success of the Filipino pugilist for now.
by:
The Flagman
