Free telecast of Pacquiao-Marquez bout in Manila sports centers

WONDER OF WONDERS MANNY PACQUIAO. Payback’s a bitch. Juan Manuel Marquez made it easier for trainer Freddie Roach to motivate Pacquiao. Despite all the money involved ($5M for Marquez, $22M for the Pacman), neither fighter is talking paycheck. Both are talking validation. KEATS LONDON/INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

MANILA, Philippines – Manila residents will be able to watch for free the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez through a live screening at the city’s sports complexes in each district.

“The free showing will give the residents a chance to see the event unfold as it actually does in Las Vegas,” Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said in a statement.

“We don’t need to spend on fare to Las Vegas or pay for expensive hotels and restaurants just to watch the fight live,” he said.

Lim has ordered the installation of large screens in the designated venues.

The Pacquiao-Marquez fight will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

The live telecast of the said boxing fight will be shown in the following sports centers: Tondo Sports Complex (near Sto. Niño de Tondo Church) District I, Patricia Sports Complex (Flora Street, Gagalangin, Tondo) District II, Rasac Covered Court (Alvarez Street corner Rizal Avenue) District III, Dapitan Sports Complex (Instruccion Street, Sampaloc) District IV, San Andres Sports Complex (San Andres Street, Malate) District V and Teresa Covered Court (Teresa Street, Sta. Mesa) District VI.

Complimentary tickets will be given to residents on a first come, first-served basis through designated barangay (village) halls.