World Boxing Association (WBA) superfeatherweight champion Edwin Valero, eyeing a possible bout with superstar Manny Pacquiao later this year, will defend his world title on May 3 against the talented yet largely unknown Japanese Nobuhito Honmo at Tokyo’s Ariake Colosseum.
Valero, a Venezuelan now living in Tokyo, Japan, had earlier indicated his interest to fight Pacquiao in a mega-showdown later this year, although his Japanese promoter, the highly-respected Akihiko Honda, had said that his ward was not yet ready for the Filipino icon this year.
The undefeated Valero (21-0, 21 KO’s) was one of the names being floated who will face Pacquiao in April before the name of Mexican Jorge Solis was announced in a fight that will take place on April 14 in San Antonio, Texas.
Pacquiao, when told of Valero’s high interest in facing him, reacted by saying that the Venezuelan has never faced any serious opposition, even labeling the latter’s victims as ‘tricycle drivers.’
Valero, in an apparent dig at Pacquiao, reacted by saying that he will make the fire-breathing Filipino one of the tricycle drivers he was referring to in the event they face off in a fight.
DEFENSIVE GENIUS
Honmo (29-4-2, 5 KO’s), is the reigning OPBF super-featherweight champion, and best known for his convincing unanimous decision over tough Filipino Jimrex ‘The Executioner’ Jaca on May 20, 2006. A light-hitting prospect, Honmo is gifted with a iron-clad defense, not unlike that of Winky Wright, that may prove difficult for the heavy-hitting Valero to penetrate.
The May 3 event boasts of two other world title bouts, as WBA superflyweight champ Nobuo Nashiro defends his title for the second time against hard-hitting Venezuelan Alexander Munoz.
Also set to defend his title is WBC bantamweight champ Hozumi Hasegawa, who will take on a soon-to-be-announced foe.
