SAN ANTONIO – When Manny Pacquiao tipped the scales at 128 3/4 pounds in yesterday’s weigh-in, his trainers Justin Fortune and Buboy Fernandez said it was proof of a super champ.
Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser Mike Koncz said the boxing icon hasn’t worked harder for a fight.
“He had 7 1/2 weeks of training for (Jorge) Solis compared to 10 weeks for the third (Erik) Morales fight but Manny’s a lot more prepared, more physically in condition than ever,” said Koncz.
Fernandez said before Pacquiao left for Los Angeles to hook up with Fortune at the Wild Card Gym, he had already logged over 50 rounds of sparring in workouts at General Santos City.
“By the time Manny reported to Justin, he was already in shape,” said Fernandez. “We kept quiet about Manny knocking down his sparmates, how he would go 12 rounds a day. He just wouldn’t stop. He really wants to put on a convincing performance against Solis.”
Fernandez said he would report to Freddie Roach everyday on Pacquiao’s progress. Roach has been exclusively training Oscar de la Hoya in Puerto Rico for his May fight against Floyd Mayweather. He is expected to be in Pacquiao’s corner for the Solis bout.
Fortune said Solis’ training regimen was obviously off-track because it took the Mexican four trips to the scales to make the 130-pound limit at the weigh-in.
“You don’t put on weight to add to your power,” said Fortune, an Australian who’s Roach’s top assistant. “It doesn’t work that way. You work on strength and conditioning in the gym not by bloating yourself. Manny’s rare in that his speed and power are in-born. I think Solis is poorly trained. But everyday in the gym, I would remind Manny not to take him lightly.”
Fortune added, “Manny’s a little freak who’s gifted in that he’s strong and fast – other guys can get fit but they can’t maintain the speed he has later in fights, he starts fast and finishes faster.” * * * Catanduanes prospect Bernabe Concepcion opens the Alamodome show by staking his WBC Youth superbantamweight crown against Houston’s Benjamin Flores in a 10-rounder.
Another Filipino upstart Elmer Fontanilla was supposed to face Torrence Daniels but the “swing” bout was scratched from the 9-fight card featuring 80 rounds. Fontanilla is in Los Angeles and didn’t make the trip here.
Concepcion, 19, is the eighth of nine children born to a former pro Serafin, 65, and housewife Corazon, 59. Two of his brothers Dondon and Benjie were prizefighters. His family works a two-hectare ricefield in Biga.
Koncz and Fernandez said Concepcion is the second coming of Pacquiao. “More than anyone in the horizon, Concepcion looks like the real thing,” said Koncz. “And that includes the Filipinos in Golden Boy’s group.”
Concepcion said he’s been floored only once in his career. It happened in his last fight against Jae Chun Moon in Baguio City. He was dropped by a right to the jaw in the second round but got up to finish off the Korean in the fourth. “I was more surprised than hurt,” said Concepcion.
In February last year, Concepcion was at his most lethal when he floored Wei Yang Jiang four times enroute to a seven round stoppage in Shanghai. Wei was rushed to the hospital and has retired from boxing. * * * Here are the five factors that will decide the outcome of the Pacquiao-Solis fight:
Speed. Pacquiao has the advantage in quickness. His handspeed and footspeed will be too much for Solis to handle. When Pacquiao charges in with both fists flailing, Solis won’t be able to run away. Pacquiao shoots from every angle.
Power. Nobody hits harder in the superfeatherweight division than Pacquiao. To make things worse for Solis, the Mexican is a natural featherweight, meaning he blew himself up without realizing the repercussions in his physical makeup. Pacquiao will hammer Solis’ midsection until he wilts. Then, Pacquiao will go for the kill.
Stamina. Solis claims he has gone about 300 rounds preparing for Pacquiao in the high-altitude Otomi mountains. But his poor showing at the scales indicates the talk of his conditioning may be exaggerated. Solis has shown resiliency and staying power in previous fights but he’ll need to slow down Pacquiao with offense than just try to survive the distance. Pacquiao went 12 brutal rounds with Morales in their first meeting so when push comes to shove, he can fight to the limit. He’s ready to rumble.
Durability. Solis was floored by Humberto Solis before their fight was ruled a no-contest. Judging from the quality of his opposition, Solis’ chin hasn’t really been tested. His ability to take a punch is a mystery. Pacquiao took the best that Barrera, Morales and Marquez could offer and never went down.
Heart. Pacquiao’s will to win is his badge of honor. When he bangs his gloves together and grits his teeth, watch out. Solis has never fought anyone quite like Pacquiao and he’ll never be the same again after they fight – win or lose. Pacquiao’s heart is the ace up his sleeve.
Solis will be lucky to last six rounds with Pacquiao.
