MEXICAN boxer Oscar Larios, the former two-time world super bantamweight champion, arrived yesterday for his “Mano A Mano” showdown against Peoples’ champ Manny Pacman Pacquiao on July 2.
And the man known as El Chololo looks fit and out to conquer the Filipino boxing champion right at his own turf.
Larios accompanied by his manager/trainer Ed Reynoso flew in at Ninoy Aquino International Airport about 12:56 p.m. on board a Japan Airlines flight JL-741 from Narita International Airport in Japan.
Reynoso, who spoke in behalf of Larios, boldly declared that the Mexican boxer did not come here for a vacation but to go out for a win against Pacquiao in what could be a defining moment in his career.
“Larios is the winner. Only winner!” said Reynoso.
Although Reynoso did not reveal whether they will go for a quick kill or push the match to the distance, the veteran manager/trainer, who’s been with his wards’ rigorous training from Mexico to Japan believes Larios is in tip-top condition.
“Larios is in good shape and well-conditioned because his trainer is very good in the field of boxing. Larios will be winner by knockout.” Reynoso stressed.
But Reynoso is wary of Pacquiao and in fact praised the General Santos native ranked as the best pound-for-pound boxer in his division.
“Pacquio is a very good fighter but I promised to shock all Filipino boxing fans because Larios will beat Pacquiao,” Reynoso boldly predicted.
Larios has trained at the Teiken Gym in Akihiko Honda, Tokyo, and has been sparring with a group of Japanese southpaws, including World Boxing Council bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa in preparing against the lefty Pacquiao in their July 2 slugfest.
“Oscar has trained so hard at the Teiken gym in Tokyo. We don’t worry ourselves with the odds. We would rather continue preparing for the July 2 fight,” said Mexican promoter Rafael Mendoza, who arrived incognito Thursday, to scout for training gym and running ground where Larios can continue his preparation for the fight.
With Larios arriving are Eric Gomez, representative of the Golden Boy Promotions; Jose Reynoso, manager; Edison Reynoso, trainer; Teodoro Larios, father and masseur of Larios. Miguel Diaz, another official, is arriving before the fight.
Another foreign fighter, Rustam Nugaev of Russia, is the last fighter to sign up, making the card a tri-nation championship.
The 23-year-old native of Perm, Russia is pitted against Dennis Laurente from Para?aque in eight rounds to kick off preliminary bouts.
With the sale of tickets in full blast, preparations for the big fight have reached the frenetic stage.
Scheduled today, June 26, is the public workouts for all protagonists, starting at 11 a.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
This will be followed by the final press conference for mediamen on Thursday, June 29.
