Filipino energy officials tell citizens to conserve electricity for Pacquiao fight

Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao is set to take on Floyd Mayweather for the WBC World welterweight title on Saturday night in Las Vegas. An ocean away, his supporters in the Philippines hope their televisions will stay tuned in.

Al Jazeera America reports that energy officials warned residents on Friday to disconnect refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners — "just leave electric fans and TVs on" — in order to duck one of the chronic, hours-long power outages with which the country is too familiar.

"We have waited so long for this," energy official Rante Ramos said. "It is unacceptable not to have the opportunity to watch it."

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Pacquiao is a national hero in his native Philippines, and fans are eagerly awaiting this matchup, which has been years in the making and could earn Pacquiao as much as $120 million.