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Monday, September 05, 2005
Pacquiao heavily favored
By Edwin G. Espejo
GENERAL Santos City boxing idol Manny Pacquiao is heavily favored when he goes up against World Boxing Council No. 10 ranked Mexican super featherweight boxer Hector Velasquez on September 10 (Sunday, September 11 Manila time) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles California.
Pacquiao, who totes an impressive 39-3-2 (win-loss-draw) record with 30 knockouts, will be fighting for the first time since his close but heartbreaking loss to Erik Morales who will also be climb the ring against another opponent in the double-header card promoted by Top Rank.
Boxing experts predict an abbreviated bout between Pacquiao and Velazquez as both carry almost identical knockout ratio.
Pacquiao however has the edge in power and stamina.
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's long time trainer, however said they are prepared to go the distance and are not taking Velazquez lightly.
An impressive win over Velazquez should serve as superb tune-up for Pacquiao as he is already slated to face Morales in a blockbuster rematch in January next year.
Morales goes up against former US Olympian Zahir Raheem in another co-featured bout that will also have the undefeated Filipino-born American Brian Villora taking a shot at the WBC light flyweight title held by Eric Ortiz (24-4-1), of Mexico City.
The bout will be shown by Home Box Office (HBO) and will be carried by local sports cable television Solar Sports and RPN 9 on a delayed telecast basis.
Pacquiao is expected to tip the scales at 130 lbs. And has been training in seclusion at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood.
The Filipino boxing idol, who goes by the moniker "The Destroyer" for his penchant of swarming and knocking out his opponents, has been developing a "secret weapon" against right-jabbing opponents.
Before he left for the US, he briefly showed his vaunted weapon, a wicked body shot combination that he intends to use in his fight against Velasquez.
Pacquiao, now managed by Shelly Finkel and promoted by Gary Shaw, is guaranteed a S750,000 purse Sunday.
But a hefty payday awaits him early next against Morales if he will prevail over Velazquez.
(September 5, 2005 issue)
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