LOS ANGELES ? Michael Buffer can now say his famous and patented phrase even if it?s still a week to go before Manny Pacquiao climbs the ring.
Pacquiao, as the ring announcer extraordinaire said in his trademark booming voice, is ready to rumble.
“He?s done enough,” said Australian conditioning coach Justin Fortune on Friday afternoon as Pacquiao put on a show for his fans at the Wild Card Boxing Club almost a week before he faces unbeaten Jorge Solis of Mexico at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Pacquiao did everything except spar and on Saturday, he will have his final sparring session when he takes on David Rodela.
“Only four rounds,” said Fortune, who is taking over the role of Freddie Roach for the meantime as Roach is under contract to train Oscar De La Hoya.
Pacquiao, who arrived here on March 17 and who reported for training two days later, is heavily favored to run over Solis and Fortune would like to see that happen.
“If he can blow him away early that?d be good,” said Fortune, a former heavyweight who is Roach?s right-hand man.
Fortune likewise said that an easy victory over Solis would also boost Pacquiao?s image back in the Philippines where he is running for public office on May 14. Most of his supporters are against the idea of Pacquiao running as congressman in the first district of South Cotabato.
“That?s too long,” Fortune answered to a statement made by his interviewer, who told him about the fight not going past six rounds.
And if there?s one guy who is more than raring to get it over with, it is the main man himself.
“I am really excited,” said Pacquiao just before he spent 15 minutes signing autographs and posing for pictures with his fans made up of Filipinos, Mexicans and Americans.
When he gets to Texas, Pacquiao would continue to train but the drills will only consist of punch mitt routine, hitting the speedball and double-end bag, skipping rope and exercises, according to Fortune.
NOTES: Top Rank had Bob Arum could not tell exactly what?s next for Pacquiao after April 14. “It would all depend on the elections (in the Philippines ),” said Arum when he visited the Wild Card. “We are going after bigger fights but we?ll see what happens if he wins the elections (on May 14).” Being eyed for Pacquiao are Marco Antonio Barrera and Humberto Soto?.An estimated 130 applied for press credentials for next week?s fights, based on a document provided by Top Rank publicist Lee Samuels to Filipino mediamen?.Michael Buffer, famous for his patented ?Lets Get Ready To Rumble? phrase, will do the ringside introductions at the Alamodome?.After his workout, Pacquiao was interviewed by a throng of mediamen, including Los Angeles Times staff writer Lance Pugmire.
