Filipinos weigh in, expect Pacquiao victory

Video by NOY MORCOSO lll/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—As eight-division World champion Manny Pacquiao steps onto the squared circle on Sunday in Macau, his compatriots expect that the Fighter of the Decade would once again raise his arms in victory.

“I think Pacquiao would get this one again, he’s one of us” jeepney driver Carlito Ilagan said of the home-grown hero. “I think he’s ready.”

Pacquiao will defend his WBO Welterweight Title against undefeated American Chris Algieri on Sunday in Cotai Arena in Macau.

Rolando Nazare, a traffic enforcer, said he expects Pacquiao to deliver a knockout but should be wary of the younger Algieri.

A peaceful man by vocation, Pastor Samuel Patagnan Jr. of the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ also expects a knockout.

“I think it would still be Pacquiao, he’s an expert and a veteran,” Patagnan said. “Knockout? Probably, because he’s also fought other younger and taller fighters before.”

Kevin Patrick Hogan, an American tourist, said Pacquiao should take the fight early and a knockout would be possible.

“I think he can, but I think he’s gonna do it in the first couple of rounds, first, second, third or fourth,” Hogan said. “If it goes past the fourth round, it might be tough.”

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