JACA AIMS TO SHINE BRIGHT IN VEGAS
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 22 Jan 2006
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA--Sibulan, Negros Oriental's pride Jimrex Jaca, the only Filipino fighting in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales rematch today, aims to become the next buzzword of Philippine boxing as he goes up against Mexican Geronimo Hernandez in an 8-round bout which will be the second fight of the 8-bout card dubbed "The Battle" at the Thomas and Mack Center located inside the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.
Jaca came in at 129 lbs, while Hernandez tipped the scales at 131 lbs during official weigh-in held yesterday at the Margaux Ballroom of the world-famous Wynn Hotel, the biggest and most expensive facility in the Strip.
"I am ready to go. I will give it my best and hope that my countrymen also include me in th eir prayers," Jaca told this writer moments before going up the scales at the weigh-in supervised by NSAC's Marc Ratner and hosted by WBC heavyweight champ Hasim Rahman.
Rex "Wakee" Salud, who watched the weigh-in with his politician friends at the gallery, revealed that should Jaca win impressively, he would immediately snag another fight for his ward in the United States.
Experts, however, pointed out that Jaca is the favorite to win this fight, considering his physical advantages over the smallish Hernandez.
"Mabugbog kay Jimrex yang si Hernandez. Mas matangkad at mas magaling siya," predicted ex-pro Gerry Balagbagan, who will work Jimrex's corner today together with Eric Brown, a trainer at the Wild Card Gym.
Jaca, when asked if jetlag will be a factor in his fight, dismissed the possibility and said he has already adjusted well to the climate. Jac a arrived in the United States last December 12.
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