Pacquiao fight brings moment of unity to Philippines (Reuters)

By Manuel Mogato MANILA (Reuters) – From air-conditioned corporate boardrooms to steamy public gymnasiums, Filipinos are counting down the hours to local boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s fight with undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas. The world welterweight championship bout, which is being called the “fight of the century”, will bring the country to a standstill on Sunday and mark a rare period of unity for the poor Southeast Asian nation. “We also expect Maoist rebels and Muslim extremists to watch the Pacquaio-Mayweather fight,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Cabunoc, army spokesman, adding that wide television screens will be set up in all military camps, including conflict areas. We expect a very peaceful day, no crime, no fighting.” Pacquiao is a lieutenant colonel in the army reserve force.