Desperately seeking Pacquiao fight coverage

GUANGZHOU—With a sheepish smile on his face, Cecil Mamiit asked the question that’s been on a lot of people’s minds recently.

“Where are you going to watch the Pacquiao fight?” asked the superstar tennis player. “People have been wondering if it’s going to get shown here.”

Even amid the heat of the battle in the 16th Asian Games, athletes and officials are all excited for the Filipino ring icon’s bout against Mexico’s Antonio Margarito Saturday in Dallas, Texas (Sunday in Manila) but there’s just one problem: There’s been no sign at all that it will be shown here.

The Philippine secretariat here said it will try to set up a television that will show the Pacquiao fight for those who have no scheduled matches or practices at around noon time but only if the bout will be not be aired via pay-per-view.

Dancesport adjudicator Gloria Alcala said even she was wondering if they could catch at least a replay of the fight, since their athletes will be competing at around the time Pacquiao opens his bid for an unprecedented eight weight crown.

“We’re really hoping he’ll win,” said Mamiit. “Margarito looks really big but we’re hoping Manny will come out the winner.”