Manila  - The Philippines is abuzz with excitement as the country's top boxing champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is set to take on Britain's Ricky "Hitman" Hatton in a highly anticipated 12-round match in Las Vegas this weekend.

Dozens of government officials and local politicians have flown to Las Vegas to watch the "Battle of the East and West" and support the rags-to-riches Pacquiao despite warnings about an influenza virus in the United States.

Throughout the Philippines, cinemas and restaurants are experiencing brisk sales for tickets to watch the match live on Sunday (Saturday evening in Las Vegas).

"Tickets are sold out and more people are asking and want to buy," said Steven Tan, assistant vice president for operations of the SM Mall of Asia, just one of SM's 34 malls nationwide that will show the fight in their cinemas.

In one bar in the financial district of Makati City, reservations are so full that the manager has set up a "standing room only" area for last-minute customers.

Local government units have also prepared to host free live broadcasts in public gymnasiums and open parks for those who cannot afford to pay.

"I'm very excited," said taxi driver Angelo Ramos, who plans to take the morning off on Sunday to join his friends in watching the fight for free in a basketball court in Tatalon district in Manila's Quezon City.

Ramos said that in the past three fights of Pacquiao, he made a bet with his neighbourhood's bookie and won. But this time, he was not putting down money and just wanted to watch and enjoy.

"I'm for Manny of course, but I know that Hatton is good as well," he said. "I don't want to gamble this time."

Millions of Filipinos will also be glued to the television on Sunday to watch the delayed telecast, pre-empting regular programmes.

Churches and malls, which are usually packed on Sundays, are expecting fewer people to come during Pacquiao's fight against Hatton.

"The mall usually becomes silent during Pacquiao's fight, except at the cinema areas," SM Mall of Asia's Tan said. "There is a decline in foot traffic in most malls, usually it's down 30 per cent to 40 per cent."

But Tan noted that after Pacquiao wins, the number of customers increases as "people go out and celebrate."

"If he loses, there's a decline again," he added. "People tend to stay at home."

Pacquiao, a 30-year-old pugilist from General Santos City, 1,020 kilometres south of Manila, has become a hero in the Philippines for his boxing exploits, inspiring millions of impoverished Filipinos.

He worked as a stevedore in the city's fish port and as a cigarette vendor in the streets of General Santos prior to becoming the newest poster boy of boxing. He has accumulated millions of dollars in prize fights, and has vowed to join politics next year to help his poor fans.

His last match with boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008, when he pummelled the legendary Mexican icon to submission in eight rounds, galvanized Pacquiao's place in the boxing world.

Pacquiao, however, said De La Hoya will remain his idol despite beating him black and blue.

"He will remain my idol," he told reporters when asked how he felt after beating De La Hoya.

Known as the "Mexican slayer" for sending to canvass a number of Mexican boxing champions such as Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, Pacquiao hopes to match De La Hoya's all-time record of six world titles in his fight with Hatton.

In his 14-year professional boxing career, Pacquiao has held titles in the flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight divisions. The fight with Hatton is in the light welterweight division.

With a 48-3-2 record, including 36 knockouts, Pacquiao has become a 2-1 favourite in his upcoming fight with Hatton, a known beer-drinker and brawler.

But Hatton expressed confidence he will beat Pacquiao.

"There's no doubt in my mind," Hatton told reporters at the final press conference before the Las Vegas fight. "Unless I've got it wrong, I'm going to win."

"I understand why people are picking him," he added when asked about his being an underdog. "This is my weight division. I have the passion. I'm going to shock the world again."

Pacquiao would not give any prediction on the upcoming fight, but promised to put up a good show and said he hopes to bring more honour to his country.

"I will do my best to give a good show," he told reporters in Las Vegas. "I respect Ricky Hatton. He is a good person. (But) when the bell rings, I stop being so nice." (dpa)