San Antonio, Texas – The 2007 debut of Manny Pacquiao (43-3-2, 33 KOs) is upon us. After a career defining year in 2006, Pacquiao wants to capitalize on his current status in the sport by taking on all comers in 2007. Jorge Solis (32-0-2, 1 ND, 23 KOs), an unknown, but unbeaten fighter from Mexico, is looking to end Pacquiao’s win streak over his Mexican countrymen.
The pay-per-view event dubbed “Blaze of Glory,” takes place at the the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, the site of Pacquiao’s breakout win over Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003.
After viewing tapes of Solis, I see very little to convince me that a possible upset may occur later tonight. The only fight of merit on his record is against Humberto Soto, which ended in a no-contest after a clash of heads in the third round. Solis already tasted the canvas in the third, and several ringside observers felt he was saved from a possible knockout by the cut he suffered from the accidental foul.
Sizing the two of them up on paper, Pacquiao has the advantage in every single category – including speed, power, chin and experience. Solis has heart, but heart is not enough to win this fight. The only way to keep Pacquiao at bay is with power. Solis’ power is questionable and so is his win streak.
After doing some research, most of his wins came against C-level fighters at best.
A breakdown of Solis’ 2005-2007 wins.
2007-01-25 Fernando Omar Lizarraga (9-3-0) – Solis wins by TKO in 5: The record of his foe tells the story here.
2006-07-21 Lizardo Moreno (6-1-0) – Solis wins a 10 round unanimous decision: Another very inexperienced and overmatched opponent.
2006-04-08 Adalberto Borquez (12-2-0) Solis win technical decision in 3: Borquez was coming off a loss and was knocked out in his next three fights.
2006-01-14 Hector Javier Marquez (28-15-0) – Solis wins a 10 round unanimous decision: Marquez was riding a three-fight losing streak and lost his next two fights as well. Solis already decisioned Marquez at featherweight two fights earlier.
2005-07-01 Nicky Bentz (36-4-2) – Solis win by TKO in 5 – Bentz was riding a two fight losing streak, including a decision loss to an old Johnny Tapia. Following his loss to Solis, he lost his next two fights, including a first round KO loss to Jason Litzau.
2005-02-25 Hector Javier Marquez (28-13-0) – Solis wins a 10 round unanimous decision: Marquez was 2-5 in his last seven fights when he met Solis. Marquez was also coming off a knockout loss and following the loss to Solis, he would lose his next four fights.
Unless Solis earns his respect early, Pacquiao will keep moving forward and use his quicker hands to land power punches in bunches.
The undercard features;
WBC super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares (30-3-2, 11 KOs), from Mexico City, defending his title against two-time world champion and current No. 1 contender Jorge “El Travieso” Arce, (46-3-1, 35 KOs), from Los Mochis, Mexico.
Former world champion and current No. 1 contender Brian Viloria ( 19-1-1 , 12 KOs), from Waipahu, Hawaii, clashing with No. 2 contender Edgar Sosa (26-5, 14 KOs), from Mexico City, Mexico, for the vacant WBC light flyweight title.
Undefeated welterweight contender Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (30-0-1, 23 KOs), from Culiacan, Mexico, son of Mexican icon and former three-division world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, will open up the pay-per-view portion of the card in a 10-round welterweight battle.
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