The bars and streets of Wan Chai were packed from early in the morning yesterday – not for the infamous “Sunday Funday”, but because of a certain boxing match you may have heard about.
Even Victoria Park and the other usual Sunday hangouts for Hong Kong’s domestic workers were more sparsely populated than usual, as Filipinos swarmed around any TV they could find to catch a glimpse of Manny Pacquiao, “the fighting pride of the Philippines”.
Taking on Floyd “Money” Mayweather in a much anticipated bout that’s been more than half a decade in the making, the PacMan was undeniably the favourite in Hong Kong.
Bars in Wan Chai, where many Filipinos work, covered their windows in black plastic so the screens were not dulled by the glaring sunshine outside.
It seemed around three quarters of the crowds, including some Americans, were rooting for Pacquiao, with shrieks coming from some groups every time the underdog received a blow from his much larger opponent.
Despite a low level of good-natured trash taking between groups of differing supporters, the mood remained jovial and celebratory, even after Mayweather was announced the winner on points after 12 nerve-wracking rounds.
