Tomorrow is a big day in the Philippines.  For two hours during the day, the country grinds a halt.  The crime rate falls to zero, because the would-be criminals are shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the TV, watching a national superstar represent the Philippines on the world stage.  I’m talking about the pay-per-view fight between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey.  To say Pacquiao is anything less than a revered treasure here in country would be an understatement.  He is fighting for the welterweight title.   This fight took the place of the controversial bout against Floyd Mayweather, when the two fighters couldn’t come to an agreement about drug testing policies.  After much trash-talking from Mayweather and his father, Pacquiao talks about showing respect:

The Filipino champ insists he is not taking Clottey lightly. “Clottey is a good fighter,” said Pacquiao, who has won 11 consecutive fights. “He is so strong and he is bigger and taller than me.

“I don’t want to underestimate this opponent. I am going to do my best and give it a shot,” he added.

Clottey, for his part, said he is ready for whatever strategy the pound-for-pound king has set on him.

“I never crack before so I want to see if he can do that. But no matter what happens, I will still respect him,” said Clottey, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion.

Pacquiao is also grateful for the Ghanaian’s respectful manner of addressing him. Just like the Filipino champ, Clottey’s refused to trade trash talk.

“I like this match very much because there’s no trash talk and we can be a good example to everyone,” said the Filipino boxing superstar.

Treat people with respect – the Filipino way.  Everyone should watch the fight tomorrow, ideally with some Filipinos.  It’s going to be great.