Pacquiao fight lifts spirits of typhoon-ravaged Tacloban

Hundreds of Filipinos in the storm-ravaged city of Tacloban gathered Sunday to watch free, live broadcasts of boxing hero Manny Pacquiao as he takes on American Brandon Rios in a comeback fight he has dedicated to victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan. For a brief moment, those who lost their homes, their livelihoods and even loved ones in the storm forgot their misery as they gathered at four areas in the devastated city for the fight, which is being broadcast live from Macau. Whole families, including children and the elderly, trooped into the city's main sports stadium -- which served as a major evacuation centre during the storm -- in a festive mood, ushered in by police and military. Spirits were high despite the grim evidence of the storm's destruction that, more than two weeks on, still surrounded them: the damp seats, the stadium's ruined ceiling, and the crowded conditions. Pacquiao, 34, a former champion in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, is seeking to redeem himself after losing his last two fights. A defeat to Rios would force him to seriously consider retirement. He has dedicated the fight to the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan, which has left almost 7,000 dead and missing in its rampage through the central Philippines earlier this month. Dondon Estandarde, 38, who came to the stadium Sunday with his wife and young son, said a victory for Pacquiao held special significance for the typhoon survivors. "A win for Manny is a win for everyone. It will be a win for Filipinos and it will help us typhoon victims also stand up and fight (and show) that we can get back on our feet," he told AFP. At the city plaza, where the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) International welterweight title clash fight is also due to be shown, people gathered under the hot sun, waiting to see Pacquiao in action. "I want Manny Pacquiao to win. A win for Pacquiao will boost our hopes. We badly need this, we badly need a win," said 63-year-old Ernesto Bauy as he clutched an umbrella to protect himself from the heat. Pacquiao, who has parlayed his sports fame into election to Congress and a fortune in commercial endorsements, has vowed not to let his countrymen down again, especially when they need a boost to their spirits. "To all the people and the families who have been affected by this storm, the typhoon -- this fight is for you," he said at a press conference days earlier. Source: AFP