Mobile Home | Desktop Version




SOLAR SPORTS WILL AIR THE PACQUIO VS SOLIS BOUT

By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 03 Mar 2007

MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- Solar Sports, the country's leading sports channel, will air the much-anticipated bout pitting Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten Mexican slugger Jorge Solis on April 14 (April 15 in Manila) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

"Pacquiao is the pride of our nation. We can't afford not to show his next fight," said Solar Sports boss Peter Chanliong. It is also part of the channel's sustained effort to bring the world's biggest sporting events to Filipino households.

"We know that in our own little way, we're giving inspiration to our less fortunate countrymen. Pacquiao is a real-life people's champion and it is our duty to bring him closer to the people through our coverage," added Chanliong.

Aside from giving the blow-by-blow accounts of the fight, Solar Sports will also take a peek on the training camp of both fighters and hold viewing parties in malls and sports bars nationwide.

While Solis may not ring a bell in big time boxing, he certainly has the ability to answer the bell in his match against the acknowledged top pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

His slate of 32-0-2 (win-loss-draw) with 23 knockouts spells danger to the Filipino champ.

"The fact that he's never been defeated in a professional fight is a testament of his toughness," noted Chanliong.

Boxing fans around the world seem to be thinking the same way. Tickets in the venue are selling like hot potatoes on the opening week.

A recent report from popular boxing website Fightnews reveals that nearly $500,000 worth of tickets have already been sold, making it the second-biggest opening weekend sale for a boxing event in San Antonio history.

It has surpassed the opening week ticket sales of Pacquiao's 2003 knockout victory over Marco Antonio Barrera.

Only the welterweight title fight between Pernell Whitaker and Julio Cesar Chavez in 1993 had a bigger opening.

"Not only is Manny Pacquiao boxing's pound-for-pound most exciting fighter, he is becoming boxing's pound-for-pound most popular superstar," said promoter Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank.

True. But the fans will not shell out as much as $300 just to see a bloody mismatch.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • February 24: Junto Nakatani-David Cuellar Title Showdown Headlines a Bantamweight Bonanza in Tokyo LIVE on ESPN+
    Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • Zamora, Soledad crush opponents in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • GOLDEN BOY LAUNCHES INTO 2025 WITH ERIC PRIEST HEADLINING FIRST-EVER SHOW AGAINST TYLER “HERCULES” HOWARD
    Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • PH Fighter of the Year, Top Fighters of 2024
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • Three in line for title bids
    By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • Paciones wins WBA Asia light fly title
    By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • Yanong KOs Phayom in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Team Dominates, Defends Title at 41st PCA Open Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • MIEL FAJARDO READY FOR YOHANA IN EXCITING WBO 112 GLOBAL TODAY IN TANZANIA
    By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Dec 2024
  • Today! Paciones, Yanong, Zamora, Soledad Ready for Action in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Dec 2024
  • LERASAN, KASSIM, MAKE WEIGHT FOR WBF 118 BELT IN TANZANIA
    By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Dec 2024
  • IIEE Metro Central scores 24-24 standoff versus IIEE Western Visayas in the 3rd D’ Engineers Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 26 Dec 2024
  • Ortega wins Laguna chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 25 Dec 2024
  • Paciones to fight Li in Bangkok on Dec. 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 24 Dec 2024
  • Antonio Vargas Seeks Showdown with WBA Bantamweight Champion Seiya Tsutsumi
    Tue, 24 Dec 2024