The April 14 megacard at the Alamodome is still a month away, but you can already feel the momentum starting to build.
It’s not every day that Bob Arum, arguably boxing’s greatest promoter of all-time, decides to bring a major fight card to San Antonio featuring unquestionably the most exciting fighter in the sport today in Manny Pacquiao. Yes, the hyperbole from Thursday’s news conference was a little strong. But most of it was justified. This boxing event could be one of the biggest and the best ever.
On the heels of successful Golden Gloves and Armed Forces tournaments, here are a few thoughts to ponder while looking ahead to April:
Pacquiao can pack a punch, but will he fill the dome?
Not likely, but it’s possible. The Alamodome will be configured to seat 20,000, the same as it was for the Evander Holyfield fight last fall.
But “Blaze of Glory” already has sailed past the Holyfield fiasco in paid attendance.
OK, that isn’t saying much. But if Pacquiao draws a lot of fans from his native Philippines and from California — which has a sizable Filipino population — as expected, and Jorge Arce and Cristian Mijares, who are facing off in the co-main event, bring large followings from Mexico, who knows? A crowd of 15,000 or more wouldn’t be shocking.
Just who is Jorge Solis, Pacquiao’s opponent in the main event?
It’s funny, but no one seems to really know. He’s 32-0-2 with 23 knockouts, but he hasn’t fought anyone of note.
His last two opponents had fewer than 10 fights apiece. In July, he went the distance with a guy who was 6-1.
Maybe he’s not great, but Solis is at least credible or the Texas commission wouldn’t approve him.
So why should anyone bother to go to this?
Anytime you get to see a fighter the caliber of Pacquiao, you jump at the chance. It doesn’t matter who he’s fighting. These opportunities are rare.
Arce is an exciting, high-action fighter, too, and his fight with Mijares could be the best on the card. Add Brian Viloria and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to the mix and you have the makings of a great show.
Would Tommy Morrison be a good addition to the card?
It might add some intrigue and bring a little more media attention, but take away the controversy surrounding the whole HIV thing — is he positive or is he negative? — and Morrison is just another 38-year-old fighter trying to make a comeback.
What was the best thing about this year’s local Golden Gloves tournament?
The new Woodlawn Gym deserves a “wow,” but the real topper was the emergence of 17-year-old prospect James Cantu. His victories over nationally ranked Hector Ramos in the semifinals and Steven Hall in the finals were the highlights of perhaps the best Golden Gloves of the past five years or so.
But Cantu lost his first match at state to a boxer who hadn’t competed in two years. That’s how unpredictable the amateurs can be.
Look for Cantu to turn pro in another year or two.
What was the worst part of the tournament?
All the squabbling and bickering. Then again, what would the Golden Gloves be without it?
How can the Golden Gloves be improved?
Move the championship night to Municipal Auditorium. I know I’m beginning to sound like a broken record on this, but the finals belong downtown.
The Alzafar Shrine Temple is a fine facility, but the location stinks. The big problem with the auditorium would be parking, but surely there’s someone out there with clout who can help solve the problem.
Where are you, Sheriff Ralph Lopez?
* * * VIEW FROM THE CORNER
FIGHT ANALYSIS
Matchup: Marco Antonio Barrera (63-4, 42 KOs) vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (46-3-1, 35 KOs), for Barrerra’s WBC super featherweight championship, Saturday, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, HBO Pay-Per-View (8 p.m., $44.95)
Setting it up: Barrera, 33, wanted to meet Manny Pacquiao in a rematch of their 2003 bout in San Antonio, but the tug of war between rival promoters Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya prompted Barrera to move on. Marquez, also 33, the WBO featherweight champ, moves up in weight to challenge Barrera, who will be making his fifth title defense at 130 pounds.
Breaking it down: Both fighters are tough, experienced and highly skilled. Marquez is no Pacquiao, but he’s high up on most pound-for-pound lists. Marquez is known for his technical brilliance and willingness to go toe-to-toe when necessary. Barrera can box or brawl. This one could be a classic.
Prediction: Barrera has had a lot of hard fights and you’d think sooner or later they are going to take their toll. This a tough one to call. Both fighters are smart and are eyeing a shot at Pacquiao. Barrera has a little more firepower. Barrera wins by decision.
STRAIGHT SHOTS
Mexican flyweight Victor Burgos is out of a medically induced coma and responding to a doctor’s verbal commands, according to a public relations official with Don King Productions and the Long Beach Press Telegram.
Burgos underwent emergency surgery at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California, to remove a blood clot in his brain after his fight against Vic Darchinyan on March 3.
Miguel Cotto likely will fight Zab Judah on June 9 at Madison Square Garden. The question — with all the great 147-pounders out there — is why? Judah’s jitterbug style is all wrong for Cotto.
CORPUS CHRISTI CARD
A crowd of about 7,000 (about 3,000 less than a sellout) is expected for Saturday’s Evander Holyfield-Vinny Maddelone bout at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi.
Two San Antonio boxers are scheduled to fight on the card.
Raul Martinez (17-0, 12 KOs) takes on Kevin Hudgins (5-8, 2 KOs) of Pensacola, Fla., in an eight-round bout at 115 pounds. Also, Elizabeth Villarreal (2-2-1) meets Vanessa Juarez (5-0, 1 KO) of Fort Worth in a six-round bout.
There are a series of events leading up to fight night that are open to the public. The first is an open workout at Corpus Christi’s PAL Gym at 2 p.m. Tuesday, featuring Martinez and Corpus’ Alfonso Lopez.
The final news conference is at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Omni Bayfront Hotel. At 2 p.m. Thursday, the Corpus Christi Boxing Hall of Fame will induct its newest members in a special ceremony at the American Bank Center. Holyfield is scheduled to attend.
The weigh-in is at 2 p.m. Friday at the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach.
Doors open at 6 p.m. First bout is at 7.
The rest of the card:
Calvin Brock (29-1, 22 KOs), Charlotte, N.C., vs. Ralph West (17-10-1, 14 KOs), Jamboree, N.Y., 10 rounds, heavyweights
Adam Richards (16-1, 12 KOs), Murfreesboro, Tenn., vs. Earl Ladson (12-14-1, 7 KOs), Winston-Salem, N.C., 8 rounds, heavyweights
Roderick Willis (14-0-1), Dallas, vs. Damian Norris (8-2, 6 KOs), Havana, 8 rounds, heavyweights
Jose Diaz (12-0, 3 KOs), Houston, vs. Jeremy Drapal (6-4, 4 KOs), Hastings, Neb., 6 rounds, featherweights
Alfonso Lopez (0-0), Corpus Christi, vs. Juan Garcia (0-0), Houston, 4 rounds, heavyweights
