Former WBC Continental Americas superfeatherweight champion Bobby Pacquiao said yesterday he will be 100 percent ready to upset highly favored Humberto Soto of Mexico in their 10-round bout at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 9.
Pacquiao said he won’t let his older brother Manny down and realizes the fight is his chance to redeem himself from failing to make weight and losing by disqualification to Hector Velazquez in Las Vegas last November.
Pacquiao left General Santos City for Los Angeles early last week and checked out two training facilities in Las Vegas before deciding to set up camp at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
“I tried out the gyms in Las Vegas but I wasn’t comfortable training there,” said Pacquiao. “There are no hills where I can run unlike in Los Angeles. And the gyms are far from where I stayed. So I talked it over with Mike (Koncz) and we decided to go back to Wild Card.”
Pacquiao said he has watched Soto in action on tape and noticed the Mexican called “La Zorrita” fights like Erik Morales.
“He’s tough,” said Pacquiao. “But I’ll be prepared. I’m working hard in the gym with Justin (Fortune). I won’t have trouble making weight. I now weigh about 137 and the limit for the fight is 133.”
Pacquiao scaled three pounds over the limit and was stripped of the WBC Continental Americas crown at the weigh-in the day before the Velazquez bout. He was fined $25,000. Although overweight, Pacquiao was allowed to face Velazquez and led on two of the three judges scorecards when referee Kenny Bayless ruled a disqualification for repeated low blows in the 11th round.
“I couldn’t understand how I was overweight,” said Pacquiao. “Two days before the fight, I was 132 and I hardly ate anymore until the weigh-in. I tried to lose weight in a steam room but it was
useless. Maybe, the scales were wrong. Whatever the reason, it won’t happen again.”
In Los Angeles, Pacquiao stays in an apartment with Koncz, driver-cook Alex Otero, writer Winchell Campos and bantamweight Mercito Gesta.
“Bobby wants me to be with him everyday,” said Koncz. “I go home (to Orange County) only on weekends. Manny wants me to push Bobby hard. Manny calls very often and sometimes, twice a day to find out how Bobby is doing. Bobby’s training is on schedule. He’s sparring with (unbeaten WBO interim lightweight champion) Michael Katsidis and (welterweight) David Rodela and so far, so good. He’s very focused and determined to win.”
Koncz dismissed speculation that Top Rank chairman Bob Arum is using Pacquiao as cannon fodder for Soto to set up a “revenge” match involving Manny for his brother.
“From what I know, there are two fighters in the priority list as Manny’s next opponent and Soto isn’t one of them,” said Koncz. “If ever Manny fights Soto, it’ll probably be late next year so the revenge angle isn’t something that’s in the air. Bobby’s out to beat Soto and that’s the bottom line.”
Koncz said Manny plans to be at ringside for his brother’s fight against Soto. The night before, he will be feted by the Boxing Writers Association of America as 2006 Fighter of the Year at the Copacabana in New York. After the fight, Koncz said Arum will bring Manny in a private plane to attend the International Boxing Hall of Fame testimonial dinner in Canastota. Arum will also take Manny to Washington, D. C., to meet Nevada Sen. Harry Reid and some US congressmen.
Pacquiao and Soto are both 26, turned pro in 1997 and boast a 72-inch reach. Soto is 1 1/2 inches taller and has logged 48 fights compared to Pacquiao’s 42. Soto hasn’t lost in his last 19 fights since dropping a majority decision to Pacquiao knockout victim Kevin Kelley in 2002. He has scored five first round KOs.
Pacquiao has lost twice in his last 12 and won four of five fights in the US. His record is 27-12-3, with 12 KOs while Soto’s is 41-5-2, with 25 KOs. Soto is ranked No. 2 by the WBC in the 130-pound division.
