SAN ANTONIO–PTP, which stands for Prime Time Pacquaio, figures to be too much for this man to my left to withstand for all 12 rounds. Jorge “Coloradito” Solis has a 32-0-2, 23 KOs ring record but he does not strike fear in anyone’s heart.
Still, he is four inches taller than the Pinoy national idol. And he goes into his challenge Saturday night for the WBC International super featherweight title at the Alamodome feeling little pressure. Outside of his family and friends, very few are forecasting a huge upset.
If there is a dean of Mexican boxing writers, it is a small guy who is a heavyweight at the computer keyboard. His name is Jose Luis Camarillo and he’s been scribbling about boxeo for only 32 years for the giant Mexico City newspaper, ESTO.
I decided to check my South Of The Border boxing barometer as to the Guadalara fighter’s prospects. This man is the dean, and I don’t mean the Dizzy Dean, of all Mexican boxing writers.
“He is eager and he is jumping at his chance for this fight,” Camarillo said. “He says he will show Mexican pride with his fists. He is eager and he is anxious.
“But it’s a tough fight. I know that anything can happen in boxing but it is a tough fight for Coloradito. I will also say that Solis is very skillful.”
How about “Mexicutioner” Pacman as colleague John Chavez refers to Manny? I know he is not loved in Mexico but is there any positive regard for the Pinoy terror?
“Oh, yes,” Camarillo said. “The people in Mexico, they like his fighting style. They respect Pacquaio but, of course, they cannot love him. I wouldn’t say he is hated, either. He is respected for what he does in the ring.”
Btw, if you ever seen my D.F. main man, Camarillo, in a karaoke bar, ask him to belt out his mean, mean version of Ike & Tina Turner’s “Rolling On The River.” It’s a knockout, especially the part about “you don’t have to worry, if you’ve got no money…people on the river are happy to give…”
OK, OK, it’s an inside joke, folks. I know the man since he was a rookie ring reporter and now he’s become Mexico’s Nat Fleischer only better-looking.
Camarillo does not see Solis winning but he does say Solis is no joke.
