If you were at the Alamodome on Nov. 15, 2003, you’ll never forget Manny Pacquiao.
The way he dazzled and dominated Marco Antonio Barrera, arguably the best Mexican fighter of his generation, with a shocking display of speed, power and relentless aggression before finally knocking him out in the 11th round. It was a night ? and a fight ? to remember, a high-voltage performance that certainly ranks near the top in the annals of San Antonio boxing.
If you weren’t there, shame on you.
But don’t feel too bad. You might be getting a second chance.
Pacquiao appears headed back to the Alamo City to headline a blockbuster card at the Alamodome this spring.
The card, promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., likely will take place April 14 with flamboyant Mexican superstar Jorge Arce fighting in the co-main event.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of the legendary Mexican champion, and former Olympian Brian Viloria are slated to appear in separate undercard bouts.
“We’re still working things out, but our plan is to come to San Antonio,” Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels said. “It’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of putting the pieces together.”
Top Rank has hired Fort Worth’s Lester Bedford of the Bedford Agency to handle marketing and event management.
Bedford said two dates, April 14 and April 21, have been reserved and that he has received a contract proposal from dome officials.
Contrary to Internet reports, Bedford said April 14 is the date being targeted. April 21 is the second day of Fiesta.
Don’t start cracking those cascarones in celebration just yet, but it looks like big-time boxing is returning to the Alamo City.
Pacquiao and Arce arguably are the two most exciting fighters in the sport today. Pacquiao (43-3-2, 34 KOs), the Filipino phenom, was the consensus Fighter of the Year in 2006 after knocking out Erik Morales twice.
The Pacman’s opponent at the dome reportedly will be undefeated Mexican featherweight Jorge Solis (32-0-2, 23 KOs).
Arce (46-3-1, 35 KOs) has dominated the 112- and 115-pound divisions over the past five years with rare punching power for a flyweight.
But Arce’s calling card is his charismatic personality that, coupled with an outspoken nature, landed him on the Mexican version of the reality TV series “Big Brother” a couple of years ago.
Arce’s opponent likely will be Cristian Mijares (30-3-2, 12 KOs) of Mexico.
A word of caution here. Pacquiao is at the center of a dispute between Top Rank and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy promotions over his promotional rights.
Pacquiao last year signed contracts with both companies, then decided he preferred Top Rank. De La Hoya says he’ll sue if Pacquiao fights for anyone but Golden Boy.
This apparently was enough to prevent HBO from offering the event on pay-per-view. But it hasn’t scared off Arum, a former attorney, who plans to distribute it on his own.
Warm-up acts?: The next two months figure to be busy on the South Texas boxing scene, with or without an Alamodome card in April.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is scheduled to fight March 9 at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo.
Then, March 17 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Evander Holyfield makes his debut for New Jersey promoter Main Events. Undefeated San Antonio flyweight Raul Martinez is scheduled to appear in the co-main event.
