Blaze of Glory? Solis is a No-Show!
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 22 Mar 2007
West Hollywood, California -- What is so difficult to comprehend is the fact that boxers involved in big promotions suffer from issues concerning “visas”. Isn’t it the responsibility of the promoters and the managers of these fighters to see to it that boxers do not fall victims of such unnecessary issues?
Take for example Jorge Solis of Mexico who is the main event fighter of Bob Arum’s “Blaze of Glory” Promotions on April 14th at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas. Solis has been contracted many weeks ago to fight Manny Pacquiao, the darling of Philippine boxing.
Today, at a much-hyped press conference in West Hollywood, California, Solis was a no-show! The reason? He was still at the US Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico applying for a visa!
What a lame excuse!
Those who were involved in the promotions and the Solis people should have done better. Hello people! It’s time to wake up and get your jobs done. Applying for P-1 visas for these boxers is not really that difficult if you prepare the supporting documents and file the applications way ahead of time. That way, the US Consulate will have enough time to check on the paper work and issue the appropriate visas. Applying for visas on a last minute basis is not the way to go. You should know better than that!
At any rate, only three of the most important people showed up at the press conference. Brian Viloria, the ex-WBC light flyweight champ came in first and on time, with his trainer, Dan Goosen. Viloria indicated to this writer that having moved to the Goosen Gym at Van Nuys, California is the best thing that ever happened to him.
“Don’t get me wrong,” he said. “I love Freddie Roach and the Wildcard Gym people. But Freddie is spread out so thin that he can no longer give the time I expected him to devote to me. Dan, on the other hand is there with me 100% of the time while I am at his gym. We have plenty of time to train, discuss tactics and our game plan. My present set-up is best for me and I feel that will reflect on the fight night where I expect to re-gain the title.”
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, came in next. When his time came to speak, through his interpreter, he indicated that people should keep on watching his progress because pretty soon he will be a world champion. Arum announced that this year, Chavez Jr., will be a main event fighter.
Manny Pacquiao came to the room with Mike Koncz, his Canadian side-kick. He is looking pretty good and very confident. Justin Fortune, his surrogate trainer indicated to this writer that Manny is about 75% at this moment in time. “He should be 100% in three weeks and good to go for 12 hard rounds if need be,” Fortune said.
Before Pacquiao was given the floor to speak, Arum made a big pitch on why Manny is running for a congressional seat in the Philippines. “Manny truly loves his people and he feels that he owes it to them that he run for congress so that he can help them better,” Arum said.
Pacquiao, much to his credit centered his comments on the coming fight. He mentioned nothing about politics. In essence, all he said was that all wanted to do is “put up a good fight for everybody to enjoy.”
In jest, he also thanked all the Mexican people who will be supporting him in San Antonio.
The conference was held at a very tiny room at the Palms Restaurant in West Hollywood. The set up was a big surprise particularly to the boxing scribes who are used to big hotels for these types of events. Only Arum knows why this time, it was on a very small dining room. Be that as it may, it accomplished the purpose and Arum and his team, together with all the fighters moved on to San Diego where another press con was scheduled later in the evening. Before leaving he advised everyone to show up at the Wildcard Gym on Friday noon to have a chance to talk to Jorge Solis and have photo ops with him.
'BLAZE OF GLORY' LA PRESSCON PHOTOS (All photos by Dr. Ed de la Vega):
Top Rank President Bob Arum (right) talks to the media as Manny Pacquiao looks on.
Ex-WBC champ Fil-Am Brian Viloria speaks to the media.
Brian Viloria (right) speaks to the media while his trainer Dan Goosen listens.
Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (left) during today's 'Blaze of Glory' presscon in West Hollywood, CA.
Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao dishes his patended wide grin during today's 'Blaze of Glory' presson in West Hollywood, CA.
'Blaze of Glory' protagonists, from left, Brian Viloria, Manny Pacquiao and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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