Pacquiao vs Marquez World Press Tour

GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) staged a grand face-off between the iconic Filipino fighter Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez at the kick-off of their world media tour on Sept. 3 at the Quirino Grandstand.

Around 75,000 fans witnessed the announcement of the much-awaited third bout of the boxers that would seal their “unfinished business.”

Top Rank CEO and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum administered the oath of sportsmanship.

The fighters kicked-off their 25,000-mile four-city world press tour covering Manila, New York, Los Angeles, and Mexico before the main event on Nov. 13 (Philippine time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, to be broadcast exclusively by GMA Network and flagship AM Super Radyo station DZBB.

The World Press Tour 2011 Pacquiao-Marquez III Special, which aired after noontime variety program Eat Bulaga, won over ABS-CBN counterpart programs in Nielsen Mega Manila overnight household ratings by huge margins.

An all-star Kapuso cast led by Ogie Alcasid, Kyla, Rachelle Ann Go, Jay-R, Mark Herras, Kris Bernal, Aljur Abrenica, Glaiza de Castro, Rochelle Pangilinan, Rocco Nacino, Sarah Lahbati, and more graced the event hosted by GMA primetime actor Dingdong Dantes.

Kapuso child stars Jillian Ward and Yogo Singh handed tokens of goodwill to both fighters, who would advance their respective national pride in the upcoming bout.

During the interview with the two boxers anchored by GMA news pillar Arnold Clavio and sportscaster Chino Trinidad, Pacquiao promised to wield his strongest brawn for the 144-pound world championship title.

He said of his Mexican opponent, “Talagang matibay din si Marquez, magaling din na boksingero (Marquez is really strong, a good boxer).”

The upcoming bout, Pacquiao said, will clear doubts raised during the controversial draw in their first match in 2004, and the tight 12-round fight he won via split decision in their second meet up in 2008. He added, “Sana mag-ensayo siyang mabuti. Mag-eensayo rin akong mabuti para magandang laban ang maipakita natin (I hope he trains hard. I will train hard as well so we can show a good fight).”

Marquez, meanwhile, said he feels very happy that Pacquiao accepted the challenge, yet his eyes are focused on clinching victory in the upcoming bout. He said to Pacquaio, “You fight with your heart. I like fighting with my heart and people watching two warriors on the ring.” And though he said he fights with native country Mexico , he confessed that he loves the Filipinos.

According to Arum, the Nov. 13 fight will establish who the best fighter in the world really is.

Present during the event were GMA President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Wilma Galvante, Solar Entertainment Corporation President Wilson Tieng, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Mexican Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Christian Clay Mendoza, and Executive Director of the National Parks Development Committee Juliet Villegas.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s game show Manny, Many Prizes (MMP) held a special episode in the same venue right after the event. The pound for pound king and program host bestowed P1 million as jackpot prize to a lucky Caviteño, Villovic Ramos. After living on contractual pay, Ramos now breathes hope with the money prize he won in the GMA program.

Catch more surprises in the Saturday game show, airing weekly at 6 p.m. The next episode of Manny, Many Prizes will air straight from the good Congressman’s hometown, Saranggani province. This early, the star boxer, also called “Ninong Manny” in the GMA variety show, will field Christmas gifts to four lucky televiewers during Saturday’s program. Kapuso viewers are encouraged to tune in from start to finish for a chance to win these exciting gifts.

The hailed “fight of the century” featuring the world’s strongest contenders for boxing —Pacquiao-Marquez—will air Nov. 13 (Philippine time) on GMA channel 7 and radio station Super Radyo DZBB.