MURAD MUHAMMAD made a lot of noise during yesterday?s press conference, but it was the message issued by Fahsan 3K Battery that was louder and clearer. Here?s what the Thai foe of Filipino star Manny Pacquiao told the congregation of mediamen at the 22nd floor of the Discovery Suites:
“On Sunday morning, you would all read in the newspapers that I have knocked out Manny Pacquiao.”
“I have trained very hard for this opportunity to fight Pacquiao. This is my chance to be known all over the world,” Fahsan added.
Several eyebrows were raised but Fahsan, who pursues the job of upsetting Pacquiao tomorrow night at The Fort in Taguig, did not flinch as soon as he turned over the microphone to his manager and interpreter, Jimmy Chaichotchuang.
Pacquiao just grinned, looking supremely confident that he can live up to his lofty billing when they clash at 9 p.m.
After a brief interview with scribes and TV people, Pacquiao headed back to the Wild Card Gym in Para?aque to do light training and to shed off a little weight since he is over by three lbs.
“There?s no cause for alarm. He?s going to make it,” said boxing man Ramon Lainez.
As usual, Muhammad did not let the opportunity pass without showing off his impersonation of Martin Luther King?s “I Have a Dream” speech delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963.
Dressed in a classy tailored suit, Muhammad trumpeted the significance of tomorrow?s fight as he stressed that those who make up up Team Pacquiao in its American campaign have arrived.
“There?s Freddie Roach and there?s Lenny De Jesus, one of the world?s best cutmen and there?s Boying Nazario.”
Roach arrived in the country over two weeks ago, while De Jesus, a New York-based Puerto Rican, planed in yesterday morning, and the San Francisco-based Boying is the son of Rod Nazario, who flew in on Wednesday.
“They?re all here because this is an important fight,” said Muhammad.
Meanwhile, the official weigh in will be staged at 10 a.m. today at the Forbestown inside the sprawling Fort Bonifacio Global City.
The names of the officials who will work Saturday night?s main event will be made known today, according to the Games and Amusements Board.
