INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines ? Perhaps spoiled by previous Manny Pacquiao knockouts, only a handful of people from the crowd at SM Megamall Cinema 10 were left applauding and rising from their seats even before the decision, declaring the Filipino boxer the winner, was announced.

?Of course, expectations were not met. It was still a little exciting, though,? said Loy Kaloso, who works for a bank in Pasig City.

He wasn't among those who walked out but Kaloso admitted the fight was not the most exciting one.

?(Joshua Clottey) did not put up a fight. He was playing it safe,? he said, adding that Pacquiao's fight against Miguel Cotto in November was more thrilling.

Only a smattering of applause greeted the announcement that Pacquiao had won by unanimous decision over Clottey although some cheers rang out as Pacquiao was seen celebrating his victory.

Some of the loudest noises of the day came not out of exultation over Pacquiao's victory but out of frustration over the garbled sound and images from the live feed during the ninth round.

Journey front man Arnel Pineda got a thunderous applause after hitting the high note at the end of his slowed down rendition of the Philippine anthem.

Unlike previous Pacquiao fights, the atmosphere was subdued. Claps and cheers occasionally rang out whenever Pacquiao landed a good one, but the audience mainly stayed in their seats.

A couple of skimpily clad round card girls who walked and posed at the front of the cinema between rounds barely elicited a reaction.

It was a predominantly male crowd, mostly in their 20s and 30s, composed of private or government employees and college students. Some came with wives, girlfriends and children, while the younger set came in small groups.