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The most popular fighter in America, Oscar De La Hoya, will step into the ring on Saturday night in Las Vegas. But he'll be taking on an opponent who is far more popular in his own country than De La Hoya is in the United States.That opponent, Manny Pacquiao, is so popular in the Philippines that the country will practically shut down to watch the fight on Saturday night. Today I asked Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, to put Pacquiao's popularity in his own country in context.
"When you promote Manny Pacquiao, it comes with a tremendous responsibility because an entire nation -- a nation of 90 million people -- is focusing on his every move, and anything that happens to him," Arum said. "It is the most important topic of conversation in the Philippines. The highest elected officials are fixated on Manny and on this fight."
When I asked Arum whether Pacquiao compares in popularity with any fighter in any other country, he said there is no comparison.
"It's something that's totally and completely different from promoting another fighter, no matter how popular he is," Arum said. "Nobody I ever promoted is more popular in his country -- even Muhammad Ali -- Manny is not only beloved but also very important to the country."
We'll have a Pacquiao-De La Hoya live blog on Saturday night here at FanHouse.
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