MANNY Pacquiao hopes a win over Oscar Larios on Sunday will do much to cheer his troubled Philippine homeland, while his Mexican opponent plans to use the bout as a platform to greater boxing heights — and purses.
Boxing analysts rate Pacquiao, 27, as the heavy favorite to successfully defend his WBC super featherweight title against 29-year-old challenger Larios in a 12-round bout in Manila’s suburban Quezon City.
Millions of Filipinos are expected be on hand to cheer the fast-punching Pacquiao at Araneta Coliseum and on TV, but experts say an upset by the well-trained Larios can’t be ruled out.
Both fighters, smiling and appearing relaxed at a news conference Thursday, predicted victory.
“I trained for 12 rounds, but if a knockout occurs, that would be a bonus,” said a confidently beaming Pacquiao, nicknamed “The Destroyer.”
Larios said he’s not intimidated by Pacquiao’s home advantage, adding he would show the world that “it’s not impossible to beat Manny Pacquiao.”
“They love him, but they can’t throw punches for him,” Larios’ promoter, Rafael Mendoza, said of Pacquiao’s vocal supporters. “There will only be two fighters in the ring.”
Mendoza said Larios had been training hard and a win would considerably bolster his career and fortune.
“We didn’t come here to compete. We came here to win because to beat Pacquiao now is to become a star in the United States,” he said. “You reach the very big fat purses and that’s (what) we’re looking for.”
A Larios victory would be just short of a miracle, according to Philippine boxing analyst Hermie Rivera, considering Pacquiao’s power and speed have proven to be an unstoppable combination in recent fights. The wild cheers filling the stadium will be an important booster, he added.
Larios trained longer than Pacquiao. His two months in Japan — allowing him to adjust him to the Asian time zone — compared with Pacquiao’s six-week training program could provide the Mexican with needed stamina if the match goes the full 12 rounds, Rivera said.
Amid the Philippines’ political, security and economic troubles, Pacquiao has emerged as a national icon. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband are among his high-profile fans.
A son of a poor farmer who once worked as a baker and construction worker to survive in his southern home province, Pacquiao’s rags-to-riches tale has sparked hope among many young Filipinos who aspire to use boxing as a ticket out of poverty, said Recah Trinidad, a sports columnist.
He has fostered a sense of hope among many Filipinos, who are fed up with the country’s turbulent politics.
“He’s a knight in shining armor; the only credible reason why we’re happy now,” Rivera said.
