Pac-Man Ready, But Larios Says He Has Key to Victory
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 30 Jun 2006
Pasig City -- Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao says he's ready to take on Mexican Oscar "Chololo" Larios even as the latter revealed for the first time that he's got one special 'key' to beat the world's most dangerous and exciting fighter on Sunday when they trade leathers in a 12-round bloodbath at the Araneta Coliseum.
Both Pacquiao and Larios faced the media yesterday at the final press conference held at the Discovery Suites, accompanied by their respective handlers and support teams.
Pacquiao came with trainer Freddie Roach, managers Shelly Finkel and Nick Khan, and GAB chairman Eric Buhain, while Larios was accompanied by Eric Gomez of the promotional firm Golden Boy Promotions, advisor Rafael Mendoza, trainer Edison Reynoso and his father Teodoro, a former fighter who took the nickname 'Chololo' that is now also used by his famous son.
Pacquiao and Larios meet for the final time tomorrow morning for the official weigh-in to be held at the Discovery Suites before they do battle Sunday morning.Undercard fighters take to the scales at 7AM, while Pacquiao and Larios should be weighed at exactly 8AM.
"I will become very rich if i win this fight," Larios told mediamen when asked how much this fight means to him.
Pacquiao, for his part, exhorted fans to see the fight and assured them of an explosive encounter, down to the undercards.
"Thank you for the support, and hope to see you at the fight," said Pacquiao, who looked dapper in a striped long-sleeves.
SPECIAL TRAINING
Larios' advisor Rafael Mendoza, in an interview, revealed that his ward is now '1000 percent' ready for whatever Pacquiao brings to the table, saying that the Mexican star came into training camp happy and for the first time, did not drain himself to make weight.
"Larios is now mentally and physically ready for Pacquiao. The only thing that needs to be seen is if his chin can hold up to the power of Pacquiao. If it does, then it will be easy from there," said Mendoza.
For this fight, Larios trained three times daily in Mexico, before flying to Japan to complete his training camp.
Meanwhile, it was revealed for the first time that this Sunday's coverage will be opened by the 10-round rumble between Tagbilaran City's Czar Amonsot against Silverio Ortiz, followed by the Gerry Penalosa-Tomas Rojas tenner.
Preceding the main event is the 10-round scuffle between Sibulan, Negros' Jimrex Jaca against Mexican Hector Marquez.
Set to follow the Pacquiao-Larios tiff are two 6-rounders, three 8-rounders, and the ten-round face-off between Michael Domingo and Alejandro Montiel.
PRESSCON NOTES: The rank of mediamen interested to cover a boxing event suddenly ballooned for this Sunday's Mano-A-Mano, if yesterday's gathering was any indication. And they're quick to claim their lunch. No wonder ABS-CBN is having a real difficult job issuing credentials, as the line separating legitimate boxing media and the freeloaders gets too blurred...Col. Bob Sheridan, who has worked as commentator for more than 800 world title bouts, is in town together with his partner Dave Bontempo. The duo will again work together for the Shane Mosley-Fernando Vargas rematch, where Filipino Randy Suico will be featured against WBA lightweight champ Juan Diaz...Boxing analyst Sev Sarmenta was also at yesterday's presscon, looking every inch ready for this Sunday's chores. He is being paired up with North Cotabato Governor Manny Pinol to analyze the bouts from ringside...Eric Gomez, who is representing Oscar De la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, has revealed that Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista's next fight will be in the undercard of the Marco Antonio Barrera-Rocky Juarez rematch on Sept. 16 in Las Vegas...Gomez also singled out the Michael Domingo-Alejandro Montiel showdown as the fight that would most likely stand out among the undercard bouts.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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