Pacquiao dominates the headlines on Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Nothing seems capable of stopping Manny Pacquiao these days, not even the threat of a typhoon or swine flu, as he rides a wave of popularity that swells with each dominating victory.

Bigger fighters? No problem — a few more pounds of muscle have added even more power to the quickest hands in boxing. Just ask Britain’s Ricky Hatton, who was knocked down twice before being knocked out just before the end of the second round of their junior welterweight title fight last weekend.

Nearly a week later, Pacquiao still dominates the headlines and airwaves in his native Philippines, where he’s an instantly recognizable icon, one of those stars who transcends sport.

In a country that has grappled with deep financial problems and political divisions for years, Pacquiao has created a fanatical following that bridges the divide between rich and poor.

The sprawling archipelago of more than 7,100 islands grinds to a halt when he fights. Crime drops, and traffic slows to a trickle. Even communist and Muslim insurgencies take a break.

Spokesman Eid Kabalu said many members of the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Muslim guerrilla group in the volatile south, trooped back to their communities to watch the Hatton bout. While ecstatic over the result, the rebels had one complaint: Pacquiao ended the fun too quickly.

Theatres showing the fight live were packed, and the delayed broadcast on national TV drew two-thirds of the viewership in Manila, a sprawling city of 12 million.

Pacquiao’s popularity is spreading overseas, too. Early estimates suggest the Hatton bout exceeded expectations and drew the fourth-largest pay-per-view audience ever.

Now the question is where his next fight will take place — another huge payday in the boxing ring, where a possible matchup with recently unretired Floyd Mayweather Jr. is being touted; or in the political arena, where Pacquiao is eying another candidacy for Congress with suggestions he could run for president.