Saturday, July 01, 2006
Pacquiao eyes early KO
By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
SKIP the popcorn at the counter.
The Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios showdown could be in for a quick ending as the Filipino ring sensation has vowed to go for an early knockout against the Mexican warrior on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Pacquiao, the 27-year-old bomber from General Santos City, will be firing from all cylinders and end the bout before fight fans could settle themselves on their seats at the Big Dome, site of the classic 1975 Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier Thrilla in Manila.
No less than Pacquiao's manager, Shelly Finkel, gave the orders for his fighter to go for the kill at the sound of the opening round bell.
With Pacquiao in superb condition and trainer Freddie Roach assuring time and again that it will be over within six rounds, the Filipino pug could be well on his way to a rousing victory in front of his legions of fans.
"We're ready to rumble. If Manny follows our game plan, it will be over in six rounds," Roach said of the Sunday morning fight dubbed Mano-A-Mano during a press conference Thursday.
Or, the knockout could even come earlier.
Pacquiao, who pulled off a fantastic 10th round TKO win over the great Erik Morales in Jauary, is all pumped up for the Larios fight.
Pacquiao had vowed to fight to his death for his adoring countrymen.
But the camp of Larios, a former super bantamweight champion of the world, is unfazed of the great odds they are facing against Pacquiao and fighting him in his own backyard.
Larios, nicknamed `Chololo,' is used to fighting in hostile territory, the Mexian's camp warned.
The official weight-in is scheduled this morning at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas.
(July 1, 2006 issue)
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