GENERAL SANTOS CITY–Thousands of boxing fans here and the neighboring areas will be treated anew to a “ringside view” of boxing icon Senator Manny Pacquiao’s comeback fight on Sunday against Argentinian brawler Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Lady Manalo, city sports and games regulation officer, said Friday the local government will open the 5,000-capacity city gymnasium in Barangay Lagao for the free viewing via live telecast of the highly-anticipated Pacquiao-Matthysse fight.
Manalo said the local government purchased a pay-per-view subscription of the fight for the special public viewing event.
She said they tapped the city’s 26 barangays for the distribution of 5,000 tickets, which will guarantee reserved seats inside the gymnasium.
Residents may avail of the tickets for free through their barangay councils on a “first come, first served” basis.
“The gates will open at 8 a.m.,” she said, noting that the live viewing will start from the undercards to the main event.
As in the past viewing events, Manalo said viewing screens will be set up outside the gym for those who could not get tickets.
The city government has sponsored free live viewing at the city gymnasium for the previous fights of Senator Pacquiao, who grew up in Barangay Labangal here.
The “fighting senator” trained at the Pacman Wild Card Gym here and in nearby Sarangani Province for the fight, which will put at stake Matthysse’s World Boxing Association welterweight belt.
Pacquiao last fought on July 2 last year, losing his World Boxing Organization welterweight title to Australian Jeff Horn in a controversial unanimous decision.
In Sarangani, Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon said they will also hold a public viewing event at the provincial gymnasium in Alabel.
Organizers have not issued tickets but residents may avail of seats at the gymnasium on a “first come, first served” basis.
Solon said they will cheer and pray for the victory of Senator Pacquiao, who was a former representative of the province’s lone district.
“Senator Manny, we know that you are going to bring home the victory. Bring all the glory to God for your victory and we claim it that you will be victorious in this fight against Matthysse,” he said.
In Malungon, Sarangani, the free viewing of the Pacquiao-Matthysse fight at the municipal gymnasium will highlight the opening on Sunday of its five-day foundation anniversary celebration.
In Koronadal City, the city government will hold anew the free public viewing of the fight at its Rizal Park grounds.
Dr. Charlemagne Calo, event coordinator, said they will also give out free popcorn to fight viewers. (PNA)
