LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Old timers knew what it meant when the betting for Manny Pacquiao at the Wynn Hotel became so brisk that some bettors didn't bother to call anymore. Their customers knew that the Filipino was going to get his sweet revenge against Erik Morales for that controversial win in 2005.

Of course the rematch had been the talk of the town for weeks.

The popularity of this fight was confirmed fully by the jampacked Thomas and Mack Center. As early as 3 p.m. parking was already difficult but it seemed strange that the stadium itself was only about 30 percent full before the Pacquiao fight although some boxing matches were going on.

The Bacolod group entered at 4 p.m. and learned only then that the fight was at 8 p.m. yet. Understandably, most of the audience had Filipino and or Mexican roots. Naturally it was a highly-emotional gathering lightened only by the scantily clad girls who paraded around the ring to announce what round it was.

How the partisan group cheered and yelled when Pacquiao entered. It looked as if most f the foreigners present were rooting and shouting "Manny, Manny" or "Pacquiao, Pacquiao" It was very notable that both were devout Catholics, they always made the sign of the cross every time a round began. The Mexicans also shouted and waived their flags when Morales entered, but the Pinoys apparently outshouted them.

One got goosebumps listening to the huge Pinoy crowd fervently singing the Philippine National Anthem. The Mexicans followed suit, but again the RP anthem was sung like a dirge by the soloist but it was only the deep fervor of the Filipinos that enlivened it. The US anthem was also played, but by then the crowd was already restless.

The match started with the two measuring each other up with a jab here and there without much happening. There was some action in the second and third rounds but the hearts of the Pinoys started thumping when Morales seemed to collect himself in the sixth round. After that, Pacquiao began to take control to the delight of his praying kababayans. The rest is now history.*NRL

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