EDWIN Valero of Venezuela needed only 72 seconds in scoring yet another sensational first-round knockout win in Tokyo, then hurled a challenge that reverberated across the Philippine archipelago.
Valero, a heavy-handed fighter but whose defense is suspect, crushed Mexican Michael Lozada Wednesday to retain his World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight crown at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.
And just as he was fast in disposing off his challenger, Valero was also quick to issue a challenge to Filipino bomber Manny Pacquiao.
"I want Manny next. I hope Arum is listening. I don't want to hear Manny a lot of excuses to fight me this time. If our fight will happen, he will realize that he too is a cab driver," said Valero, reacting to an earlier comment made by Pacquiao calling his opponents tricycle drivers.
Valero was referring to Top Rank's Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter.
Arum is reportedly in the process of arranging a fight with Pacquiao in Macau, and one of the fighters he is considering as the Filipino's opponent is Valero.
With the win, Valero improved his ring record to 21-0, all by knockouts including 19 inside the first round. (CRAM)
