Philippines, 07 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


The Head Butt That Hastened Solis's Downfall


PhilBoxing.com




Canoga Park, CA -- Before the much-hyped Pacquiao-Solis “Blaze of Glory” at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas last Saturday, many pundits and common boxing fans predicted that Pacquiao will end his fight with Solis in the early third of the 12 round fight.

But, the Pacman had some other plans.

Pacquiao revealed to this writer and a few of his privileged friends who were inside his private bedroom in his suite at the Radisson Hotel after the fight that he wanted to prolong the fight and entertain his fans and supporters just a wee bit longer. He was so confident of his victory that he felt it would be an extra treat for everyone if the fight lasted longer much like the Larios fight at Araneta Coliseum.

Such is Pacquiao. Even faced with an opponent like Solis who parades an undefeated record and could be potentially dangerous, his thoughts are still about entertaining his fans and supporters. Indeed, the trappings of an emerging politician!

But, Freddie Roach had better ideas and reportedly told Pacquiao to quit playing and finish off Solis. Roach’s concern of course was that anything can happen in the fight particularly with Pacquiao facing a very hungry Solis who is out to make a name for himself.

Then in the 6th round, Roach’s concern came to being. Pacquiao suffered an accidental head butt from Solis that opened a nasty cut above his left eyebrow.


Solis (right) butts Pacquiao's left eye with his head that hastens Solis's own downfall. Photo by Dr. Ed de la Vega.

When the head butt occurred, it dramatically changed Pacquiao’s personal agenda. What appeared to be a relatively easy fight has rapidly deteriorated to something that is so urgent. The fight must simply end!

The cut appeared to have enraged Pacquiao.

Pacquiao changed plans and decided to turn on the heat and “put the pedal to the metal” so to speak.

He raised the bar and the only thing poor Solis can do was put up a valiant fight and hopefully prolong the inevitable. Solis managed to do that for at least the 7th round.

But an enraged Pacquiao is a very dangerous Pacquiao.

With powerful combinations that seemed to come from all over the place Solis could not do anything to defend himself, much less throw punches in the direction of Pacquiao. In fact, at the post fight news conference, Solis admitted that Pacquiao is so fast that he had a very hard time seeing where the punches are coming from.

In the 8th, Solis was knocked down twice. Although he beat the count after the first knocked down, he was so beat that he failed to do the same after the second one, giving Pacquiao a KO victory.

“Nun nakita ko na groggy na siya tapos nun unang knocked down, alam ko tapos na ang labanan,“ said Pacquiao (When I saw him groggy after the first KD, I knew the game is over).

With that, Solis’s clean record suddenly had a blemish. He joined the infamous list of Mexican pugs that fell before Pacquiao and sealed the Pacman’s reputation as the “Mexican assassin.”

Solis ending up with the others was inevitable. But, it was hastened because of the head butt.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Unification next for Taduran?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • BEN WHITTAKER REPLACES INJURED CALLUM SMITH AS THE NEW MAIN EVENT FOR LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18 – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Filipino chess phenom triumphs at Krefelder Osteropen 2026 chess tournament in Germany
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • ProBoxTV Travels to Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, This Friday, April 10, as Hebert Conceicao Sousa Battles Power-Punching South American Johan Gonzalez in Middleweight Main Event
    , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Yokasta Valle vs Lourdes Juarez for WBC Female world championship?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio ties for 10th in Canberra chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Canelo Expected to Return on September 15 in Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Ring Masters Championships 2026 Finals April 10 at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Jeffrey de Luna keep the Philippines alive in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-ball World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • NOTHING BUT SPORTZ PRESENTS GAMBOA & RIGONDEAUX — MAY 2 IN MIAMI ONE NIGHT. SAME CARD. HAVANA HEAT
    , Mon, 06 Apr 2026
  • Wilkens Mathieu Against Olympic Medallist Esquiva Falcao at the Théâtre Capitole of Quebec City on June 11!
    , Mon, 06 Apr 2026
  • National Master Jasper Faeldonia rules Romblon chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 06 Apr 2026
  • Twin wins for Pinoy boxers
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026
  • NM Buto spearheads Goldland Chess Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026
  • Andreas Cortes vs Eridson Garcia Tops Paramount Plus Card
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026
  • Chris "Sandman" Thomas Back in the Win Column
    , Sun, 05 Apr 2026
  • Taduran Stops Pérez in 7, and “Still” IBF 105 Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • Pedro Taduran Scores Sensational Stoppage Over Gustavo PÉRez ÁLvarez in IBF Minimumweight World Championship Main Event
    , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • BROWN STOPS DUCAR TO LAND FIRST PRO TITLES
    , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • Guy Jutras, a gentleman and pilgrim of world boxing, passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio keeps Philippine flag alive, posts hard-earned win in Canberra chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • TWO WORLD TITLE FIGHTS CONFIRMED FOR ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ UNDERCARD
    , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • MANSOUR AND BALLO MAKE WAVES WITH UNPRECEDENTED OPEN WORKOUT ABOARD CITY CRUISES ADMIRAL HORNBLOWER AHEAD OF SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS
    , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • Rookie Kon Knueppel breaks Charlotte Hornets three points record
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026
  • IBA extends its global reach through a strategic partnership with Nomad Fighting premiering at IBA Nomad 14
    , Sat, 04 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.