MANNY Pacquiao’s domination of Mexican fighters ends on Saturday (Sunday, RP time) at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, undefeated challenger Jorge Solis vowed yesterday.
That as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) banned the airing of Pacquiao video not related to the coming fight.
During the final press conference for the card dubbed “Blaze of Glory” the Guadalajara-native Solis issued a tough warning against the highly-regarded Filipino boxer.
I hold the pride of Mexico in my two fists. Manny’s winning streak over my countrymen will end Saturday night. Be ready Manny, no excuses,” Solis said, according to Fightnews.com.
“When I heard that I was fighting Manny Pacquiao in the main event on pay-per-view I got so excited I started jumping up and down. I couldn’t sleep – not scared – but because of the excitement of it all. I came to San Antonio to win. As the saying goes in my hometown, I am taking home all of the marbles.”
Pacquiao, however, is confident he will walk out of the ring on Saturday with the WBC International Super-featherweight belt still with him.
“I know my opponent Jorge Solis has worked hard and is determined to win. This will be a great fight for both of us, both of our countries and all of our fans. But there can only be one winner and I have every intention of leaving the ring the way I came in — as champion,” Pacquiao said.
Ban
Meanwhile, the Comelec has ruled to ban the airing of documentaries, endorsements, and biography specials not related to the Pacquiao fight. Pacquiao is running for Congress and is covered by regulations related to campaigning.
The Comelec also suggested to GMA-7, the television network that won the contract to air the Pacquiao-Solis fight on free TV, to block its fight broadcast feeds to South Cotabato, where Pacquiao is vying for a congressional seat against incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
Comelec issued the resolution after lawyer Sixto Brillantes filed a petition before the commission last week.
Like their fighters, the trainers who attended the press conference were also confident on the chances of their boxers.
Justin Fortune, who worked with Pacquiao since he arrived at the Wild Card Gym in mid-March, said it is impossible for Solis to beat Pacquiao because the Pinoy is physically fit and strong.
“We never underestimate an opponent but for Jorge Solis, you can call this fight (a) Mission Impossible,” said Fortune.
“Solis is undefeated and he doesn’t know how to lose. He is a two-time national champion in a great, great weight class. I really believe Solis will shock The Philippines and the world. Mexico will be very proud of its champion on Saturday night,” answered Solis’ promoter Fernando Beltran.
Filipino-American slugger Brian Viloria, who is fighting against Edgar Sosa for the vacant WBC light-flyweight title, wants to reclaim the title he lost to Omar Ni?o Romero in the undercard of the Pacquiao fight.
Promoter Bob Arum, meanwhile, said he expected the coming fight to surpass other boxing cards promoted in San Antonio, including Oscar De La Hoya’s title defense against Davaid Kamau and Pacquiao’s KO win over Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003.
Arum announced that the fight had already sold more than $1 million with all expensive tickets sold. He said sales are expected to shoot up even higher on fight day.
