Lawmakers tell of hairy encounter with Mexican fight fans

EXTRA FIRE. World pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao (left) carries extra fire into Saturday’s fight (Sunday in Manila) in Las Vegas with Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez (right) who has been taunting his rival that he won both prior fights. The taunt has inspired “Pacman” to train like never before for the world welterweight championship fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. AFP; FRANCIS OCHOA

A lawmaker was nearly beaten up by Mexican boxing fanatics during the epic fight in Las Vegas Sunday between Filipino boxing sensation and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao and Mexican challenger Juan Miguel Marquez, Manila Representative Amado Bagatsing said on Tuesday.

Bagatsing, chairman of the House committee on games and amusement, said that Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone nearly came to blows with a Mexican immediately after  the fight had not former Negros Oriental Representative Jacinto Paras intervened and pacified the “Waray congressman.”

Bagatsing said that some congressmen saw the Mexican trying to pull out something from a female companion’s bag as if he wanted to attack Evardone.

“It could be a knife or any weapon but it was clear that he was infuriated at Representative Evardone’s cheer for Pacquiao, “ Bagatsing said.

Bagatsing called an impromptu press conference to defend Pacquiao’s victory against Filipino “doubting Thomases,” and was later joined Evardone and Negros Occidental Representative Alfredo Benitez in the forum. All three said they were given free tickets for ring side seats by Pacquiao to watch the fight in Las Vegas but paid for their own air fares.