THE EVOLUTION OF THE FILIPINO FIGHT FANS IN THE USA
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Jul 2008
Los Angeles, CA.:- Modesty aside, I have the distinct opportunity of being present in almost all of the Pacquiao fights in the US and with that, I had the opportunity to see the evolution of the Filipino fight fans -- the ?Pacnuts? so to speak.
When Pacquiao fought Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, there hardly was any Filipino in the stands save perhaps for those who knew him and those that cared that he was fighting that night. But, that is excusable given the fact that Pacquiao was a substitute fighter, an unknown gladiator from the Islands. People thought he will not have a chance against Ledwaba. Of course by now we know what happened that night. Pacquiao blew Ledwaba away winning via a 6th round TKO and in the process winning the IBF super bantamweight title.
On the next fight, some Filipinos started to notice Pacquiao, particular those from the Bay Area in Northern California. Many were on hand to support him during his fight with Agapito Sanchez at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco which sadly, ended in a technical draw.
Pacquiao?s next fight after Sanchez was against Jorge Elizcer Julio. The fight was held at the Pyramid at Memphis, Tennessee. Now, Tennessee is not exactly a Filipino fight town. Thus, only a handful were there to see Pacquiao fight and win via a 2nd round TKO to keep his IBF super bantamweight title.
Following that fight, Pacquiao fought Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym in Davao which he won via 1st round KO and Serikzhan Yeshmagambetov at the Luneta in Manila. Needless to say, the fans were there.
After the two fights in the Philippines, Pacquiao returned to the US, this time fighting at the old Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles against Emmanuel Lucero. This time, a good number of Filipinos were in attendance partly because of Pacquiao and partly because these Filipino fight fans, this writer included, frequented the Olympic with or without a Filipino boxer on the card. They also did the same at the Great Western Forum at Inglewood, California. The Mexican who often fought there were enough to entertain everyone including the Filipino fight fans.
Then the Barrera -Pacquiao I happened. By now, Pacquiao was really getting noticed by the Filipino fight fans. In fact, it may be safe to say that it was during this fight that the US Filipino fight fans rapidly started to evolve. Pacquiao of course beat Barrera. He beat Barrera so badly that interest in him as a boxer sky rocket. It was also this time that the ?Pacquiao bandwagon? came about.
Then came the Marquez I where Pacquiao decked Marquez three times in round 1 enroute to a controversial draw brought about by a mistake made by a scoring error of one of the judges.
By the time the Morales I came about, the Filipinos were all over the place. Sadly however, their man lost by a UD. But instead of being cast aside, the way Pacquiao fought that fight, facial cuts and all, further endeared him to the Pinoys? and the band wagon started filling up to the brim.
Thus by the time the Morales II happened at the Thomas and Mack at Las Vegas, Filipinos of all shape and form, young and old, were swarming the venue. The politicians and other hangers on were also more visibly present. Even the Filipino mass media in the US was well represented.
When Pacquiao fought Jorge Solis at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas , Filipinos were no longer out numbered by the Mexicans, at least not by much, if I may say. Pinoys flew in from as far as New York and California to see the man they call ?Pac-man? demolish Solis in 8 rounds. The end was rapidly brought about by an accidental head butt. Fearing that the cut may get worst if the fight is prolonged, Pacquiao took the fight to Solis and ended it fast.
The Barerra II and the Marquez II followed, both at the Mandalay Bay Resort Casino Of course by then there was no stopping the Filipino fight fans. They were all over the venue, from the nose-bleed section to the ringside. Some of the Pinoys at ringside were the freebies who got their seats only because Pacquiao paid for them. Nothing wrong with that I guess, after all they are friends of Pacquiao. Besides Pacquiao is such a generous guy that he enjoys giving freebies to people that matter.
The culmination of the evolution was the David Diaz fight. Bob Arum said that the gas prices scared away the people from driving to Vegas. But not the die hard Filipino fight fans that comprised more than half of the announced 8362 fight fans that were at the Events Center of the Mandalay Bay Resort Casino.
Though the Mandalay was not completely full like when Marquez fought Pacquiao there three months ago, it was still heart warming to see that the Filipinos in large numbers. Some even came with their families, dressing their kids to show how much they support Pacquiao.
Many brought signs and poster declaring their undying support for Pacquiao. One, it was said even asked Pacquiao to marry him? A Him?
With the Filipinos now showing up in venues where Pacquiao fights, it is a small wonder why Bob Arum is quietly pulling strings to see a fight with Ricky Hatton happen. Although Arum says he is working on getting Edwin Valero instead, he knows fully well what can happen if the Brits and the Pinoys gather at Las Vegas. The beer will go fast and the card tables and slot machines won?t be empty.
A venue full of noisy Brits and sign bearing Filipinos will be marvelous to see and hear. Read: Money on the cash registers.
It could not get better than that!
Top and above photos: Filipino fans come in droves during the last Pacquiao fight on June 28 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Photos by Dr. Ed de la Vega.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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