This is one surprise that hardly startled Manny Pacquiao.
Mexican fighter Oscar Larios arrived unexpectedly yesterday, putting in disarray the preparations made for his scheduled arrival today but setting in place an interesting storyline to the highly anticipated Pacquiao-Larios showdown on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
“I’ve waited for this moment to fight one of the greatest fighters of all time,” said Larios through an interpreter after stepping out of EVA Air that brought the former WBC world super bantamweight champion from Mexico via Taipei.
That moment is still a little over two months away but Larios seized the chance to create some stir by planing in a day ahead of his scheduled arrival in time for tomorrow’s press conference of the fight at ABS-CBN 2.
The giant television network, the group on top of the Pacquiao-Larios fight dubbed Mano A Mano, was totally caught by surprise with anchor Dyan Castillejo forcing to go the airport as early as 2 a.m. Wednesday to check on all the incoming flights.
The 29-year-old Larios, together with trainer Edison Reynoso, arrived at 11:40 a.m. Manager Rafael Mendoza came in much earlier on board Philippine Airlines. Billetted at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center, the entourage had a scheduled dinner with officials of the Mexican Embassy last night.
Pacquiao’s American trainer Freddie Roach is due to arrive today along with legal counsel Nick Khan.
“When Larios learned of a hectic schedule in his three-day visit here to promote the fight, he apparently had a change of plans and took the next available flight to Manila,” according to sources.
Though Pacquiao is the sure favorite in the non-title fight, the 70-year-old Mendoza said the Filipino boxing hero is in for a big surprise come fight day.
“Pacquiao has never fought a fighter as fast as Larios,” said Mendoza in reference to Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, two of Mexico’s boxing legends whom Pacquiao demolished one after the other on his way to stardom.
So serious is Larios to humble Pacquiao before Filipino fans, saying: “I was at the ringside when (Luisito) Espinosa beat Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez in 1996 in Mexico and I saw a Filipino beating a Mexican in Mexico. That’s what I will do here — beat a Filipino in the Philippines.”
Pacquiao, who arrived Tuesday here from General Santos, simply shrugged off Larios‘ boast.
“I welcome him at sana mag-enjoy siya sa pagbisita n’ya ngayon kasi sa laban baka hindi na siya mag-enjoy,” said Pacquiao. — With report from Rudy Santos
