Manny Pacquiao, a three-division world champion, has taken San Antonio by storm for his fight on Saturday night against Jorge Solis of Mexico. The meet at the Alamodome for the WBC International junior lightweight title.
This will be Pacquiao’s first fight in Texas since knocking out Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003 and the ticket sales are even bigger than on his previous visit.
On the opening weekend, sales grossed nearly $500 000 (R3,56 million) which proves that Pacquiao is, pound-for-pound, the number one boxer in the world and is achieving superstar status.
Pacquiao has beaten top Mexicans such as Erik Morales (KO 3 and tko 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (tko 11), Oscar Larios (points 12), Emanuel Lucero (tko 3) and Hector Velazquez (tko 6).
The only blemish against a Mexican fighter on his record is the disputed draw with Juan Manuel Marquez, who was knocked down three times in he first round.
Pacquiao, whose record now stands at 43-3-2; 33, was named Fighter of the Year for 2006 by the Boxing Writers Association of America and by The Ring magazine.
The hard-hitting southpaw has lost only one fight in his last 20; a close points decision to Erik Morales in 2005 in their first fight.
Solis (32-0-2-1nc; 23) from Guadalajara is the elder brother of Ulises, the IBF junior flyweight champion and a former Mexican featherweight champion.
Solis is a litttle taller than Paquiao and even though he uses the jab well it is not a damaging punch and he does not have the power to hurt Pacquiao.
He is often wide open and a few solid punches from Pacquiao should see the champion win inside the distance.
There has been speculation that trainer Freddie Roach, who is in Puerto Rico preparing Oscar De La Hoya for his fight against Floyd Mayweather on May 5, will not be in Pacquiao’s corner. However, this should not make much difference.
In an all-Mexican showdown on the same card – it could be the fight of the night – two-times world champion Jorge Arce (46-3-1) challenges WBC super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares (30-3-2).
Former Olympian Brian Viloria and prospect Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will also be in action.
