Words that pack a punch for our million-dollar Manny

MANILA, Philippines–Four days to go. The greatest boxing match of the century—the Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao-Floyd “Money” Mayweather bout—will take place in MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas, Nevada on May 2 (May 3 in Manila). These two colorful boxers are on a head-on collision course with boxing history. Who will emerge with both gloved fists raised in victory?

Since both legendary boxers are also avid car collectors, Inquirer Motoring compiled the views and sentiments of motoring industry VIPs.

Here, we ask the who’s who of the Philippine motoring industry two questions: 1) Where will they be this Sunday, and 2) If they had the chance to be in either Pacquiao or Mayweather’s locker rooms before the fight, what would they tell these fighters?

Felix Ang

Felix Ang, Auto Nation Group Inc. president: 1) “I will be in MGM, watching the fight of the century! I won’t miss the opportunity to witness it!”

2) “If I have the chance to be in the locker room of Pacquiao, I’ll tell him no matter what will be the outcome, the country will be very proud of you, but better beat him!

“You’re the better fighter Manny, you know how much this means to you and our country, go for it!”

Auto Nation Group is the general distributor of Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram vehicles, while CATS Motors Inc. is the dealer of these brands.

Danny Isla

Daniel M. Isla, Lexus Manila president, will be watching the Pacman-Mayweather fight at the Lexus Showroom with media friends, customers and associates. Isla said that every Pacquiao fight has been witnessed by the same group at Lexus since the showroom opened in 2009. He added: “The excitement is summer fever high each time and we at Lexus are proud that this kind of spirited feeling has been made part of the tradition of Lexus in the Philippines.

“We get together from the start of the pre-fights and build up on the excitement of the main event together each time and every time. We do this while sharing good food and drinks. The event does not end with the announcement of the winner because we spend more time analyzing the fight as to what went wrong and what went right. It is a learning experience in evaluating boxing movements and decision parameters,” added Isla.

Isla said: “To Manny, I will tell him to knock Mayweather out the earliest possible time for a convincing win. I will tell him to be wary of sly moves and tactics that Mayweather might have and to keep his guard up to make sure that he is not detrimentally harmed. To Mayweather, I will tell him to play clean and to show in action what his mouth speaks. To both, I hope they will be safe.”

Albert Arcilla

Lawyer Albert Arcilla, Chevrolet Philippines’ president and managing director: 1) “I still prefer staying home to watch the fight because I find it more relaxed, and we have food while watching. The whole house is in a standstill, just glued at the television.”

2) “I would prefer to be in Pacquiao’s camp. I will tell him that he is now part of history and that no matter what happens, he has been blessed to have this opportunity. I will pray with him before the fight. Then I will ask him to please win for all of us at all costs!”

Kay Hart

Kay Hart, Ford Philippines’ managing director: 1) “We are all pretty excited with the upcoming match this Sunday. Multiple Ford dealers across Metro Manila and key provincial dealerships have already started to prepare to host a live televised screening that will take place in our Ford showroom facilities, inviting loyal Ford customers, families and friends. This is the perfect time to spend with loved ones, rooting for the country’s boxing champion!”

2) “I would definitely be in Pacquiao’s locker room, telling him in a true Ford way to ‘Go Further!’ Being in Manny’s locker room and seeing a true champion in action would be a great inspiration. He has uplifted this country’s dreams to enter the global boxing/sports arena and it is amazing to see a country so united in their support for him. I would love the chance to wish him all the luck in his match against Mayweather. Manny is already a champion in each of the hearts of the Filipinos no matter the outcome of the match this Sunday.”

Froi Dytianquin

Froilan G. Dytianquin, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines’ vice president for marketing services: 1) “I will be at the comfort of my home watching this historic fight. I am as excited as everyone, fellow Filipinos and boxing fans worldwide as the Filipino pride is at stake. I believe the level of excitement and anticipation for this fight is the same as when Manny fought Morales.”

2) “Hey Manny, this is it, the fight of the century. The drama of Ali vs. Frazer, Leonard vs. Hearns, Morales vs. Barrera, Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed will surely be outdone with this one. Though odds may slightly favor Mayweather, I know the Filipino Champ always rises to the challenge. Though there is a huge sum of money involved in this fight, I know what is important for you is giving hope and lifting up the spirits of the Filipinos wherever. So give that son of @#$%^& a beating so you can start filming ‘Expendables 4’!”

Willy Tee Ten

Willy Tee Ten, Autohub Group president: 1) “We will be in the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manila showroom. We will have the Pacquiao-Mayweather PPV/screening there together with our families, friends and clients.”

2) “In Pacquiao’s locker room: Manny, you are our champ! You will forever make us Filipinos proud wherever we are in the world. Your fight is our fight. Your victory is our victory. In Mayweather’s locker room: Finally, you found the guts to fight Manny!”

Rommel Gutierrez

Lawyer Rommel Gutierrez, Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. president: 1) “I will bet in favor of Mayweather because I want Pacquiao to win. This is to lessen the emotional impact in case it goes the other way, haha! I will not watch any live telecast of the fight. Roaming around Metro Manila streets could be an option. I will only watch it later (replay) if and only if Pacquiao wins.”

2) “If I were in Pacquiao’s locker room, I will tell him that he has all the evidence (belts of eight divisions) to convict (defeat) Mayweather “beyond reasonable doubt.” It’s now a matter for him (Pacquiao) to execute the judgment (loss of Mayweather) against his opponent. Pacquiao must not only get TRO (Temporary Retirement Order) for Mayweather but must go for TKO (Technical Knock Out), if not permanent injunction against Mayweather.”

Felix Mabilog Jr.

Felix J. Mabilog Jr, Columbian Autocar-Mahindra president and Eurobrands Distributor Inc./Peugeot Philippines’ vice chair: 1) “Sunday is a family day, and the whole clan will be watching the fight on TV at home where family lunch and dinner are served every Sunday.”

2) “If given the chance to be in either boxer’s locker rooms, I will tell them not only to think of the money they will get from this fight but also of the boxing fans all over the world that had been waiting for this event to happen for the last several years. The interest and excitement created by this match is just so much that both boxers should not only try but really do their very best to justify the time, money and effort spent and make this long-awaited event a very exciting, entertaining and memorable one for all (no running around and no overcautiousness). Both fighters should realize that at the end of the day, the boxing fans will not only remember who won this fight but also how each gave everything they had to deserve and satisfy the expectations of the boxing world.”

Glen Dasig

Glen Dasig, Peugeot Philippines president: 1) “For the first time, my family and I will watch a boxing match live via pay per view at home. This is the only time that my whole family agreed to watch it as one to support Manny Pacquiao.”

2) “[For Manny], amidst all the noise, glamor and glitter, as soon as you step into that ring, nothing really matters except your will to succeed. That has always been your strength. Use it to the hilt. We all believe in you.”

Antonio Zara

Antonio Zara, Nissan Philippines Inc. president and managing director: 1) “We are having a Pacman family party at my brother’s house. It’s my niece’s birthday.”
2) “The prayers of our entire nation and hearts of 100 million Filipinos are with you when you go up that ring. Make us proud as our ambassador to the world. Your destiny for greatness is within your reach.”