You better watch out, you better not cry, cause Manny Pacquiao is coming to town.
It’s not Christmas, but for thousands of Filipino fans it’s close, so expect the Staples Center to fill to capacity with fellow countrymen today when Pacquiao faces Mexico’s Hector Velazquez (42-10-2, 31 KOs) in a 12 round junior lightweight non-title bout. The fight will be shown on HBO.
Dubbed the Destroyer, dozens of knockout victims can vouch for Pacquiao’s power. It’s not often the Philippines has a fighter that can match punches with the army of Mexican fighters that our neighbors from the south can offer. There’s always one more Mexican power puncher waiting his turn.
No matter. Pacquiao relishes the challenge like a mongoose takes to a cobra. It’s natural for him to fight fire with more fire.
“I like hard fights,” Pacquiao (39-3-2, 30 KOs) says with that impish grin.
In his first meeting against a Mexican fighter he met undefeated Emmanuel Lucero and flattened him with a savage uppercut that seemed to lift him like an invisible elevator at the Olympic Auditorium. The next test came against Marco Antonio Barrera and about 10,000 San Antonio fight fans, mostly pulling for the Mexican, saw Pacquiao dominate. Then came Juan Manuel Marquez, who tasted the Filipino fighter’s power three times in the first round before pulling out an amazing draw. Finally, Erik Morales ended the ridiculous run against Mexican fighters with a unanimous decision win last March.
Pacquiao proved his machismo against Mexican fighters four times and that’s gained him many new fans, including Latinos.
Now Pacquiao faces Velazquez, yet another Mexican power puncher, but not as speedy or proven as the others. Though Pacquiao is a heavy favorite, he dismisses talk of an easy fight.
“It’s easy to stay focused because I have a tough opponent,” Pacquiao, 26, said during a telephone press conference.
The prize at the end of the night will probably be a rematch against Mexico’s Morales.
“This fight is so important because he wants Morales,” said Freddie Roach, who trains Pacquiao.
Like Pacquiao, Morales maintains focus on his opponent Zahir Raheem.
“I can’t think about Pacquiao now,” Morales said. “Ask me after the fight.”
Pacquiao, with his speedy punches and southpaw stance, has greatly improved since he won the flyweight title in 1998.
“He’s using his jab and boxing ability more,” said Roach, who’s guided him that last four years. “People forget he’s still a young guy.”
Other bouts Local fighter and former 2000 Olympian Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (17-0, 11 KOs) attempts to win his first world title against WBC junior flyweight titleholder Eric Ortiz (24-4-1, 16 KOs) of Mexico City in a 12-round fight.
Viloria’s electrifying style wowed the Los Angeles crowd when he fought at the Olympic a year ago against Angel Priolo. In Ortiz he faces an experienced fighter capable of making anybody look bad.
Another local fighter on the card is Vanes Martiroysan (3-0) of Glendale, who is facing Mexico’s Gerardo Prieto (4-2-1) in a junior middleweight match. The 2004 Olympian has strafed all opponents with a style similar to Morales. His uppercut is deadly and he loves to fight.
In an eight-round lightweight bout, Urbano Antillon (15-0, 10 KOs) faces Genaro Trazancos (21-7, 10 KOs), a tough veteran who’s fought top contenders in his last four fights. It should be interesting.
Ticket information Doors open at 4 p.m. The first bout begins at 4:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $25, $50, $100, $200, $300 and can be bought at the Staples Center box office or through TicketMaster by phone or through the Internet. For more information call (213) 742-7340.
