Promoter Bob Arum has stated if there is a rivalry between Mexican and Filipino fighters, it is a friendly one.
Based on the number of Mexican fighters he has fought in the last three years, Filipino Manny Pacquiao may beg to differ.
Pacquiao was all smiles on Thursday afternoon as he attended a press conference at Max’s of Manila restaurant in Glendale, CA to promote his September 10th bout against (you guessed it) Hector Velasquez of Mexico at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
The 12 round Super Featherweight bout will be the co-feature bout of a seven-bout “Double Trouble” card, presented by Top Rank. Erik Morales will take on Zahir Raheem in the other bout. Both bouts will be televised on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.
Pacquiao, (39-3-2, 30 KO’s) from the Phillipines, has faced some of the best fighters of this generation within the last two years. Pacquiao has faced Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marques, and in his most recent fight, Erik Morales.
Velasquez will be another strong fighter from south of the border who will step inside the ring against the fighter nicknamed “Pacman.”
It will surely draw an interest from the fight fans living in Southern California. Long known as a region where millions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans live, legions of Filipinos will make themselves be heard on fight night as tickets will sure to be purchased by fans of Pacquiao.
Which is fine with promoter Bob Arum, who has stated that the fight card will be successful by the number of tickets that will be purchased.
“This will be the best all-around boxing card ever here in Los Angeles,” beamed Arum to the assembled media and fans inside the cozy dining area of the restaurant. “The prices of the card are affordable. They appeal to the ordinary boxing fan here in Los Angeles. You will not see tickets for $1000. Fans who love boxing can purchase tickets as low as $25. Over half the tickets are $50 and less.”
There has been a history of Top Rank promoting successful shows in Los Angeles, most notable at STAPLES Center. In late May, Top Rank promoted the first of the “Adios” cards, featuring the great Julio Cesar Chavez that drew over 17,000.
Pacquiao, who knocked out Emmanuel Lucero in his only other appearance in Los Angeles in 2003, is excited to fight at STAPLES Center.
“I have a great opportunity to fight a good Mexican fighter in Hector Velasquez,” said Pacquiao, who briefly addressed the media while at the podium. “This will be a big boxing event at STAPLES on September 10th. I hope to see everyone there.”
Velasquez, (42-10-2, 31 KO’s) from Tijuana, Mexico, has won his last three bouts in a row since a close decision loss to Rocky Juarez.
He has fought some of the best champions and contenders throughout his 54 professional bouts. He hopes that a victory over Pacquiao will springboard him toward another world title opportunity.
“I fought the big fighters and have come out the victim (loser),” said Velasquez, who also has two brothers who have fought professionally. “This time may be different for me. He is a strong fighter and has demonstrated winning big fights. I’m a real fighter and I have a chance to beat him. My dream is to still be a world champion.”
Probably the most poignant part of the press conference was when Flyweight Brian Viloria took the microphone. Acknowledging to the press that he is fully Filipino despite being born and raised on the island of Hawaii, Viloria announced he has been working hard for his world title bout on the same card against WBC Junior Flyweight champion Eric Ortiz (24-4-1, 16 KO’s) of Mexico.
Viloria, (17-0, 11 KO’s) a former US Olympian, is dedicating his bout to Ruben Contreras, who was his last opponent in May.
Contreras collapsed the ring after being stopped by Viloria and entered into a state of coma because of a blood clot. Contreras has made a remarkable recovery and hopes to walk under his own power soon.
With an exciting night of boxing on the horizon, Arum has put forward a great product for fight fans to purchase in the form of tickets. Having Pacquiao or Morales alone on the card would have sold out STAPLES, yet with both fighters on the card will produce a big night of boxing.
“This card is great for the public,” concluded Arum.
