Randy Suico is the only Filipino fighter who can tell what it feels like being hit by Venezuelan hammer-thrower Edwin Valero.
“Valero?s (left) straight punch is really strong,” said Suico in Pilipino yesterday from Cebu, where he has been training in preparation for a big fight in Las Vegas in September.
Top Rank head Bob Arum said Manny Pacquiao will defend his World Boxing Council lightweight crown against Valero on Nov. 8 possibly in Las Vegas although the Hall of Fame promoter has yet to make a formal announcement.
Suico sparred twice with Valero two years ago at the Teiken Boxing Gym in Tokyo and the 28-year-old Cebuano knows exactly why Valero, the reigning World Boxing Association super-featherweight champion, has logged 24 knockouts in as many fights, including 19 in the very first round.
Valero is promoted by Teiken, Japan?s most influential boxing outfit.
“Valero knows how to maximize the power behind his punches because you can feel his knuckle every time he connects,” said Suico, a hard-hitter himself who has a 28-3- mark with 24 knockouts.
“He really hits hard,” said Suico, who banged bodies with Valero for a combined total of 12 rounds.
Despite all the raves about the South American?s punching power, Suico doesn?t believe Valero has what it takes to dethrone Pacquiao.
“Valero doesn?t know how to defend. He doesn?t throw (or seldom) throws uppercuts. He is flat-footed and doesn?t like body shots,” observed Suico.
“Manny will handle him well,” said Suico, who is managed by Japanese Joe Koizumi, trains under Juanito Ablaca and is also under contract with Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions.
“Pacquiao by knockout in six or seven rounds,” Suico said before hanging up.
