MANILA – The streets of the Philippines could resemble a ghost town for a few hours on Sunday morning as everyone from taxi drivers to petty thieves makes time to watch Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao, known as the “nation’s fist,” is idolised in the Southeast Asian nation and his every appearance in the ring has a majority of the 90 million people glued to their television and radio sets, causing a surge in demand for electricity.

“In terms of sports events, every Pacquiao fight is the Philippines’ Super Bowl,” said Carlito Claudio, vice president for systems operations at the National Grid Corp of the Philippines.

Power demand normally rises by two percent, or around 140 megawatts, whenever Pacquiao fights and this Sunday is likely to be no different, Claudio told Reuters by phone.

Pacquiao, a former four-weight world champion, will try and snatch the IBO light-welterweight title from Hatton in a 12-round bout in Las Vegas on Sunday morning Phillipines time.

“I’ll skip work in the morning to watch the fight,” Danilo Santos, a 28-year-old taxi driver in Manila, told Reuters.

“I’m sure all Filipinos will also stay home so it will just be a waste of time driving around. If Manny wins, then I’ll have a busy afternoon,” added Santos, who expects people to be partying in the streets should their man triumph.

Lolita Cruz has set up a cable television at her small, neighbourhood canteen in a Manila suburb so her customers can watch the fight while eating.

“I am praying for Manny’s victory because that will bring honour and pride to all Filipinos anywhere in the world,” Cruz said. “He’s my hero because he always makes us proud.”

Full Story@ Reuters/Yahoo PH