MANNY PACQUIAO will have a surprise guest when he battles Mexican Hector Velezquez on Sept. 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Lawyer Nick Khan, one of Pacquiao’s American handlers, revealed yesterday that “The Undertaker” will lead the Team Pacquiao from fighter’s dressing room. The 6-foot-10 300-plus star of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) will carry a US flag followed by somebody from Pacquiao’s team who will hold the Philippine flag on their way to the ring.
The Undertaker’s real name is Mark Callaway, who is known in the world of wrestling for his signature Tombstone Piledriver move.
Before strutting his stuff in the WWE, The Undertaker, originally from Texas, used to carry the name The Punisher and Master of Pain and is famous for his win over Hulk Hogan in the early 1990s.
Tapping the services of The Undertaker is one gimmick that will surely pump the huge crowd that will watch Pacquiao wage war against Mexico’s Hector Velazquez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s training has gone full blast.
Pacquiao told the Bulletin yesterday that he has logged 61 rounds of sparring and is scheduled to add another 12 one of these days as he enters the homestretch of his month-long preparation.
“I feel great and I am doing fine,” Pacquiao said after another workout at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood. Chief trainer Freddie Roach had stated that by the time Pacquiao enters the ring at Staples Center, he would already be armed with close to 100 rounds of sparring.
Asked about the possibility of becoming burned out, Pacquiao answered in the negative.
“I am used to sparring against three different guys in one training session,” added the power-puncher from General Santos City.
Lined up to spar with Pacquiao behind closed doors are regular sparmate Israel Vazquez and two others who were tapped to toughen up the Filipino for the vicious body punches of Velazquez, a 30-year-old native of Tijuana who climbs the ring a heavy underdog.
