Not everyone is convinced that Manny Pacquiao is up to the challenge of holding public office in his native Philippines. But one thing is certain when it comes to the Filipino boxing sensation. He’s already a politician.
This became evident during an international conference call on Thursday featuring Pacquiao, assistant trainer Justin Fortune and promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.
Pacquiao, who headlines what figures to be one of the best boxing events here in years Saturday at the Alamodome, spoke from Los Angeles, where he has been training since arriving from Manila three weeks ago.
Almost from the beginning of the call, it became evident that reporters were more interested in what’s been going on outside the ring with Pacquiao than what figures to go on inside it tonight.
Why? Well, his nickname is Pac-Man, but ever since he knocked out Marco Antonio Barrera at the Alamodome in 2003 in arguably his greatest ring triumph to date, Pacquiao has more closely resembled Captain Chaos.
He has been through numerous personal and legal battles involving management and training camp issues. And the scenario hasn’t changed much for this fight.
His trainer, Freddie Roach, left him — if only temporarily — to train Oscar De La Hoya for his May 5 showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao has been stuck in the middle of a nasty legal battle and war of words between Arum and De La Hoya for his services.
And then there’s the little matter of his political campaign in the Philippines.
Pacquiao isn’t a candidate for school board president, justice of the peace or mayor. He’s not running for national hero, either, largely because he already has won that race.
No, Pacquiao is running for Congress. The election is only a month away and Saturday’s fight happens to be smack in the middle of the campaign.
That’s a lot of distractions for anyone, let alone a fighter who is just days away from getting in the ring with a guy who is determined to knock his head off.
But Pacquiao handled the hot questions during the conference call with characteristic cool and the poise of a veteran politician.
Of the rumor circulating that Roach will be in San Antonio and in his corner for the fight, Pacquiao said only that Roach told him he would “try to make it.”
Of the feud over his promotional contract between Arum’s company, Top Rank, and De La Hoya’s firm, Golden Boy Promotions, Pacquiao refused to talk about it.
“I’m just focused on this fight,” he said.
Pacquiao did open up some with regard to his political aspirations. He said his sole purpose in running for office is to “help my countrymen.” And he says he’s confident he can handle both boxing and his political campaign.
But after a while, Pacquiao knew when to say when.
“This is the last question about politics,” he said. “I don’t want to discuss my political career any more. Only the fight.”
It was an impressive display, especially from someone who until recently spoke very little English. But Pacquiao and Arum both know the best way for the Filipino phenom to capture the imagination of American fight fans is to learn the language.
All of Pacquiao’s answers on the conference call came in English. He still has a ways to go, but it’s obvious Pacquiao is getting more comfortable without a translator.
It’s also obvious he knows what to say when.
When asked about the Barrera fight, Pacquiao said the people in San Antonio “treated me like a king.”
As for his opponent Saturday, the unheralded Jorge Solis, Pacquiao described him as a “good fighter with power.”
“I’m not going to be overconfident,” Pacquiao said. He promised a good fight and said, “I always do my best to make the people happy.”
Pacquiao might not win that congressional race, but he’s already a pretty good politician.
* * * VIEW FROM THE CORNER
‘Blaze of Glory’ fight-by-fight analyses
1. Main event: Manny Pacquiao (43-3-2, 33 KOs) vs. Jorge Solis (32-0-2, 23 KOs), 12 rounds, WBC International super featherweight championship
Breakdown: This is Solis’ big opportunity and he has the style that could trouble Pacquiao, who might be off his game due to all the distractions around him.
Prediction: Look for Pacquiao to start slowly, but by the fifth round he should be in complete control. Pacquiao by ninth-round TKO.
2. Matchup: Cristian Mijares (30-3-2, 11 KOs) vs. Jorge Arce (46-3-1, 35 KOs), 12 rounds, WBC super flyweight championship
Breakdown: This should be the fight of the night, and not just because of Arce’s flamboyant ring entrances. Both fighters are tough, with high-action styles.
Prediction: The southpaw Mijares has the skills to pull the upset, which means Arce will need to be on his game. Arce’s power prevails in a split-decision victory.
3. Matchup: Brian Viloria (19-1-1, 12 KOs) vs. Edgar Sosa (26-5, 14 KOs), 12 rounds, vacant WBC super flyweight championship
Breakdown: Viloria, the former Olympian, is coming off a loss and a draw to Omar Ni?o Romero, so he should be hungry. Sosa has won 14 straight.
Prediction: Viloria has fought the better opposition and will win by eighth-round TKO.
4. Matchup: Julio C?sar Ch?vez Jr. (30-0, 23 KOs) vs. Anthony Shuler (20-4-1, 14 KOs), 10 rounds, welterweights
Breakdown: This is San Antonio’s first chance to see Ch?vez, the son of the legendary Julio C?sar Ch?vez Sr. Shuler normally fights at middleweight, so he’ll be the bigger man.
Prediction: Ch?vez likes to go to the body, which he’ll do to wear down Shuler and win by unanimous decision.
‘Blaze of Glory’ schedule
Today: 7:15 p.m. — Pacquiao will be greeted by a mariachi band in baggage claim when he arrives at San Antonio International Airport. Public is invited.
Monday: 2 p.m. — Pacquiao workout at “Jesse” James Leija’s ChampionFit Gym, 6824 San Pedro. Public is invited.
Tuesday: 2 p.m. — Jorge Solis, Jorge Arce and Julio C?sar Ch?vez Jr. workouts, ChampionFit Gym. Public is invited.
Wednesday: 12:30 p.m. — Final news conference, Alamodome floor. Public is invited.
