Pacquiao to be at ringside for Viloria?Marquez fight
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 15 Nov 2012
Manny Pacquiao will take a break from his ongoing training camp to be a spectator at ringside for friend and fellow Filipino fighter Brian Viloria this weekend.
Viloria will fight an all-important flyweight unification match against Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez of Mexico this coming Saturday at the L.A. Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The two will put their respective 112 pound division belts on the line against each other in what has become the most anticipated battle of the sport?s lighter weight fighters.
Pacquiao will not only be a passive spectator that night but he will also do commentary alongside seasoned sports journalist, Manolo ?Chino? Trinidad for Philippine television network, GMA-7. The network will broadcast the fight for Philippine viewing via its numerous national and local stations.
This will not be Pacquiao?s first try as a boxing commentator in front of television cameras. The boxer shared ringside duties for GMA-7 with Trinidad and veteran sports anchor, Quinito Henson when Viloria defeated Giovani Segura in Pasig City, Philippines last year.
But this more than just a side job for Pacquiao, who himself is training very hard for his upcoming fight against rival, Juan Manuel Marquez next month.
?The bond between Brian and Manny goes a long way. That began when Manny and Quinito (Henson) did commentary for Brian?s title defense versus Jose Aguirre in 2006. Brian returned the favor a couple of times, notably the Clottey fight in Texas and the last Bradley fight.? Trinidad narrated.
?And when Brian fought Segura here in Manila, Quinito invited Manny to do commentary with us.? The sportscaster added.
Pacquiao and Viloria also shares training ground with the famed Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach. The two have been using the gym as their base camp for their respective fights and have been supporting each other during camp.
?Then just last week as Manny was warming up, nagkausap kami nina Brian at Manoy (me, Brian and Manny were talking) and Manny asked about Brian?s title defense.? Trinidad narrated.
?Tumingin si Manoy sa akin (Manny looked at me) and asked, Who is doing the fight?? said Trinidad. The popular journalist asked Pacquiao, ?Gusto mo?? (Do you want to?) of which Pacquiao agreed without any hesitation.
He then relayed the message to his network superiors and they have decided to have Pacquiao do the fight commentary with Trinidad. The Philippine based journalist who is in the U.S. to cover Pacquiao?s current training camp is ecstatic to be sharing Saturday?s duty with the most famous boxer of his country.
?Saan ka pa kukuha ng wealth of experience and wisdom sa broadcaster?s booth? (Where else can you get this wealth of experience and wisdom in the broadcaster?s booth?) Trinidad replied when this writer asked him of what his reaction is of having Manny Pacquiao as a co-anchor for this Saturday?s fight.
?Lalayo ka pa ba kung katabi mo yun natatanging 8 division world champion?? (Will you look somewhere else if you are beside boxing?s only 8 division champion?) Trinidad answered.
Pacquiao and Trinidad will also provide round by round updates of another Filipino boxer, Drian Francisco who is slated to fight against Mexican Javier Gallo in the undercard.
The bouts will be broadcasted Sunday afternoon (Manila time) for the millions of boxing loving Filipinos who will not only see Viloria and Francisco in the show but also their most popular ring warrior in a different role.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com.
Above photo taken during the Viloria-Segura fight at the Ynares Sports Arena last December 11, 2011.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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