The crowd inside the Manila college gym on Sunday roared with every flurry that Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao landed in Las Vegas, then groaned collectively when a draw was announced at the end of 12 hard-fought rounds.

An outdoor viewing party originally planned for the Welfareville neighborhood, where a slum sits alongside wealthier areas, was moved inside after heavy rain from tropical storm Wipha.

About 2,000 people watched their 46-year-old hero's improbable comeback attempt on a giant screen placed under a basketball scoreboard.

At one point, they leapt out of their chairs as Pacquiao — four years removed from his last fight — landed a series of combinations against Mario Barrios.

They were out of their chairs again late in the penultimate round — this time because the feed dropped out at a crucial moment of action. Organizers got it back online just before the final round began.