Mayweather vs Pacquiao: Demand may cause power cuts in Philippines
Last Updated: 30/04/15 3:21pm
Manny Pacquiao’s showdown with Floyd Mayweather on Saturday night in Las Vegas could leave parts of the Philippines without power.
Electricity bosses in the Philippines fear the system may not cope when the nation unites to support their hero in his super-fight with undefeated Mayweather.
Residents of the western Philippines are being asked to turn off their refrigerators so there will be enough electricity to watch the action.
Rante Ramos, secretary of the electrical cooperative on the island of Palawan, posted the appeal on Facebook on Wednesday, saying that the area faced a power shortfall that might result in an outage on Sunday when the long-awaited fight airs in the Philippines.
"Truth is, come May 3... Palawan grid would still be 2-megawatt short of power supply. Some circuits may inevitably be switched off," he warned.
"Collectively we can do something. On May 3, let's all voluntarily switch off or disconnect as many appliances as we could," he said, asking that about 15,000 homes switch off their refrigerators for a few hours.
He also urged people not to use their washing machines, air-conditioners and irons until the fight is over.
Palawan's capital of Puerto Princesa has been suffering daily power outages lasting two to three hours due to a supply shortfall.
However the entire nation is eagerly anticipating the "fight of the century" between Pacquiao, regarded as a national figure, and unbeaten American Mayweather to finally answer who is the better pound-for-pound boxer of their generation.
The fight is going to be shown live in public on widescreen TVs in the city, sponsored by two candidates who are running for mayor in Puerto Princesa elections on May 8.
It will also be shown on a pay-per-view basis in many bars and hotels of the popular resort city.
