LOS ANGELES, California — For Hector Velazquez, attack is the name of the game. And here’s the reason why this style has become the hallmark of his boxing career.
About 10 years ago, Velazquez figured in an ugly street brawl that left a hideous, eight-inch scar on his left arm.
His chief handler, a bubbly fifty-something man named Ricardo Torres, said Velazquez is the type of guy who rarely takes a backward step.
“If he can fight with pistols and knives, he can’t have no trouble fighting with gloves,” said Torres through a friend who served as a translator just before a press conference was held Thursday at the Golden Gate Room of the Wilshire Grand.
Velazquez brings his notoriety and bravado atop the ring on Saturday night at Staples Center with the intention of re-arranging the facial contours of Manny Pacquiao in a scheduled 12-rounder that is being hyped as a prelude to the Filipino’s rematch with Erik Morales on Jan. 21, 2006.
“My fighter is more than just ready,” added Torres, sounding very confident that the tables will be turned on fight night.
Given the chance to speak on the dais, Velazquez said he is “giving it all” and “those who know me know that I will not disappoint them.”
“I respect Pacquiao, but I am not taking a backward step,” said Velazquez by way of interpreter Fernando Beltran, the manager of Morales, who was also seated on the presidential table.
Velazquez has been installed a heavy underdog considering that he is up against one of the fight game’s top attractions in Pacquiao.
But the 31-year-old Mexican believes he has what it takes to take the spotlight away from his fancied foe.
“I prepared very hard for this opportunity to fight in a big promotion and I will do everything to win,” said Velazquez.
But Pacquiao’s camp is unfazed.
A few hours after the presscon, Pacquiao showed up at the Wild Card Boxing Club for the last time and underwent all training requirements except spar in preparation for Friday afternoon’s (Saturday morning in Manila) official weighin just outside Staples Center.
“He’s ready,” shouted Macka Foley, one of Freddie Roach’s trusted lieutenants.
Pacquiao should not be able to encounter problems conquering the scales as he was just a little over the limit of 130 lbs during a mock weighin shortly before heading back to his apartment.
“Excited na akong lumaban,” said Pacquiao, who, before leaving the gym distributed sleeveless shirts that bore the official logo of the clothing line that will soon be released in the Philippines.
While focus is mainly on Pacquiao, Morales’ date with Zahir Raheem is also being keenly awaited since the Mexican also needs to put on a show to drum up more interest to the rematch.
“These two guys need these challenges. They have to deliver for the rematch to happen,” said Todd Duboef, Chief Executive Officer of Top Rank said in an interview at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Also raring to steal the thunder from the main eventers is the face-off between Mexican Eric Ortiz and Filipino-American Brian Viloria for Ortiz’s World Boxing Council light-fly crown in the undercard.
The card will also feature Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista of Cebu, who makes his US mainland debut against Felix Murillo of Colombia in an eight-round bantam bout.
