SAN ANTONIO, Texas – In 32 fights and 32 wins, Jorge Solis has been knocked down no more than five times.
He’d like to keep that number intact by the end of Saturday’s fight against hard-hitting Manny Pacquiao at the Alamodome. He said the other night he’d knock the Filipino out.
Solis was just a few feet away from Pacquiao Tuesday, as they both trained at the Jesse James Leija Gym here, when he spoke to the media.
The native of Guadalajara said he worked hard for this fight, and will prove in the end that he’s better than Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez or Erik Morales.
“I feel that I’m a different boxer than they are,” said Solis as Pacquiao pounded the double-end bag nearby.
“I’m more disciplined. I’ve seen Erik Morales train. And I’m different. Of course I’m better than them,” he added.
The unbeaten 27-year-old, however, admitted that he’s in for a fight he’s never experienced before.
“Never. Not this type. This is something way beyond anything I’ve ever tasted. It’s the tension, the opponent, and all that’s embodied in the fight,” he said through Ricardo Jimenez of Top Rank.
Still, the Mexican who vowed to shock the world on Saturday, feels no pressure at all.
“I don’t get nervous about anything. I’m not getting nervous or excited. I know what I need to do,” he went on.
Pacquiao was so focused with his training that he hardly looked at Solis. But later on they met in the ring for some photo-ops.
Joining the two protagonists was Jorge Arce, the amiable and feared WBC super-flyweight champion from Mexico who will defend his title against Christian Mijares also on Saturday.
Arce, who said he’d like to fight Pacquiao someday, provided the glitter when he put his arms around the Filipino as if he tried to take him down.
They all shared a big laugh on the ring as the cameras clicked away.
