Filipino expats in Dubai are delighted after Floyd Mayweather announced on Saturday that he will finally meet Manny Pacquiao on May 3.
“The fight we've all been waiting for is finally going to happen,” Philippine Consul General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates Frank Cimafranca told Sport360. “It will be the fight of the century.
"We may have an exciting fight or it will be a great disappointment depending on how Mayweather behaves in the ring.”
“If Mayweather chooses to rough it up with the ‘Pacman’, then it will be a great boxing match with exchanges of powerful punches that could lead to a knockout of either fighter.
However, if Mayweather elects to play safe to protect his clean undefeated record, then it will be a boring match and a big letdown as he will keep backpedalling and be dancing around the ring to avoid Pacquiao's punches.”
Cimafranca said both fighters have an even chance of winning.
“But if the fight goes the distance, Mayweather will have the advantage and could possibly benefit from a hometown decision from the judges.”
“It’s another milestone in the history of sport. No matter who wins the match, Pacquiao is already a legend.
"He makes all of us Filipinos worldwide proud,” said FilCom (Filipino Community) Dubai president Matilyn Bagunu.
“Christmas will definitely come early for us if Pacquiao wins,” added Rayan Bernardo, chairman of Synergy Sports.
“I’m happy that Pacquiao always dedicates his fight to bring glory to the Philippines.”
HSE Engineer Yuri Cipriano said “the long anticipated bout is long overdue.
I’m glad that it will finally happen; otherwise people will lose their interest in watching the two boxers in their old age
Kris Gaas, however, said that the Filipino boxing icon should concentrate fully on boxing and drop his other activities like basketball.
“He should be in top form. We don’t want to be disappointed.”
