SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Same city, same venue and hopefully, same result.
That’s what Manny Pacquiao is aiming for this Saturday night when he meets Mexican Jorge Solis at the Alamodome, site of Pacquiao’s unforgettable knockout victory over Marco Antonio Barrera almost four years ago.
“I am really excited to be back to the place where I scored one of the biggest wins of my career,” said Pacquiao in Pilipino after handing over room keys to members of his huge entourage who were with him on the same American Airlines jet that originated from Los Angeles.
The Filipino ring icon posed for pictures and signed autographs with fans who showed up at the lobby of the Radisson Hotel on Durango Street, just a mile away from the scenic Riverwalk.
“I am thrilled to be back and I can assure boxing fans that we will give them a great show,” said Pacquiao.
For those familiar with Pacquiao’s terminology, “a great show” would mean he would go for a quick and devastating win.
Also, Pacquiao has been quoted several times in the past about his desire “to make people happy” that it had come to signify his plans of leaving his opponent in tatters, such as what happened to Erik Morales on two occasions last year.
To say that Pacquiao is ready for battle is an understatement. The fighter appears so pumped up one could sense he would gladly fight tomorrow if the schedule had been arranged such.
However, Pacquiao will have to wait a few more days before his mission, which is to score a quick knockout on Solis, though many believe that it’s easier said than done.
Pacquiao is scheduled to continue his workout until Thursday and do some roadwork despite the unseasonably near freezing weather that has engulfed much of the United States.
“He is going to run tomorrow (today),” said Justin Fortune when reporters bumped into him at the elevator of the Radisson. The temperature dropped to as low as 6 degrees Celsius on Sunday after going down to 2 degrees 24 hours earlier.
Shortly after lunchtime, Pacquiao will proceed to the Jesse James Leija gym for an open workout then get back to his hotel to freshen up and motor to the AT&T Center to watch the San Antonio Spurs face the Portland TrailBlazers.
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NOTES: Manny Pacquiao appeared on a sports-oriented television program on TV station ABC that was shown live in the San Antonio area on Sunday night, hours after he arrived from Los Angeles. Minutes after the airing, Pacquiao arrived at the lobby of his hotel wearing a big smile although he did not say why.… There are reports that Regine Velasquez will sing the national anthem on Saturday night.…A good number of pins bearing ‘Vote for Manny on PPV’ and campaign posters will be handed to his fans. These items will be coming in from Los Angeles.
