Former WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Oscar Larios was atop most Top 10 pound for pound list just last year; however a tough loss in a rubber match versus fellow countryman Israel Vazquez last December, left the Guadalajara native searching for a fight that would rebound his status as one of the sports top fighters. The answer came in the form of moving up two weight classes to face a man that has stormed across the Pacific and as of last December knocked the very cream of the crop in the Featherweight/Super Featherweight Division. Larios sat down with Fightnews.com and shared his thoughts on this make or break fight of his life.
Oscar how important is this fight to you?
It’s the most important fight of my whole career. It’s the biggest, the best. It’s the only fight out there that will redeem me completely, that’s why we took it.
How comfortable were you accepting this fight in the Philippines? How where you treated on your recent visit?
I was very surprised at how the people of the Philippines behaved. Pacquiao is more than an idol; he’s like a God over there. The people treated me great, the Philippines is a lot like Mexico. But with some people’s comments it seemed like they where taking this fight personally.
Where will you be preparing for this fight?
I’m training for a month in Japan. Getting used to the climate, time difference, I want to be ready for this fight.
Manny Pacquiao has been training with Israel Vazquez for some time now, do you think this might give him a slight advantage in training?
I don’t think so.
Do you believe moving up in weight will help or hinder you in this fight?
I think the weight won’t be a problem specially with Pacquiao. Because Pacquiao is small, he’s not a big guy. Pacquiao can fight at Feather, Super Feather even Welterweight if he wants he’s still the same small guy blown up.
Have you wanted to move up in weight?
I’ve been wanting to move up in weight for a while, to Feather weight, but Super Featherweight is fine against a guy like Pacquiao.
If you defeat Pacquiao will you stay at Super Featherweight?
It depends what opportunities are there for me after, that’s not something I’m thinking about right now.
Thank you for your time Oscar, who will win this weekend’s main event?
Oscar De la Hoya of course, in a very exciting way, impressive way.
