All set for Pacquiao, Thai face-off

DAVAO CITY — Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao and Thai challenger Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym finally came face-to-face last night as they geared up for their International Boxing Federation super bantamweight title bout on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Colleges Gym here.

Pacquiao, in his third defense of the title he won over South Africa’s Lehlo Ledwaba last year, met his challenger during a pre-fight presentation at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City from where the two fighters are scheduled to come here Friday for the official weigh-in the morning after.

"Everything is now ready for the fight. We have already made the necessary preparations," said North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol, who also heads the organizing committee of probably the biggest major boxing event to be hosted by the country this year.

The 12-round bout will be presented in a unique manner that would showcase the tribal features of Davao City and Mindanao as a whole with Pacquiao climbing the ring in Lumad attire, and the round girls wearing ethnic attires instead of their usual apparel.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said they are leaving no stone unturned in making the event a successful one. In fact, a new air-conditioning unit was installed in the venue that can seat up to 4,000.

Southern Mindanao regional police commander Chief Supt. Isidro Lapeña said the security details have been taken care of, considering the present peace and order situation in the country.