Thousands gather in Cotabato for Pacquiao-Marquez fight

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Thousands of people from all walks of life filled an 850-capacity Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center here hours before the scheduled Manny Pacquiao-Manuel Marquez bout.

“We would like to witness how Pacquiao would demolish Marquez,” Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said.

Free snacks also await the spectators who as early as 7 a.m. have been lining in front of the venue.

“I came here as early as 7 a.m. only to find out hundreds have been lining up already,” Sozimo Macapagal, a jeepney driver, said.

Macapagal said he was expected to lose few hundred backs for not plying his daily route “so that I would not be left behind in the excitement of watching our hero.”

The free showing of Pacquiao-Marquez bout served as kick-off activities for the 22nd founding anniversary of the regional autonomous government.

“This is meaningful as the fight serves as opening program for the weeklong anniversary celebration,” Ali Macabalang, ARMM spokesperson, said.

Public transport stopped plying major city streets when Solar Sports started showing pre-fight at about 8 a.m.

“After the fight, we expect people to return home and that’s the time we can make up our day’s income,” another driver, Camino Alimudin, said as he pushed himself in the line of other spectators.

Celestino Ferrer, a known cockfight aficionado raised his P5,000 bet for Pacquiao while preparing to enter the cultural center.

He said any taker with P2,500 would win P5,000 if Pacquiao loses in the mega fight. As of 11 a.m., no taker so far.