Velasquez wages war vs. Pacman

Hector Velasquez of Mexico yesterday vowed there will be a lot of fireworks when he goes up in the ring against Filipino sports hero Manny Pacquiao in the co-feature of Top Rank's "Double Trouble" boxing show on September 10 at the Staples Center - homecourt of NBA's Los Angeles Lakers - in downtown LA.

"Throughout my career I've been known to come out on the losing end of big fights," said Velasquez, who met Pacquiao face-to-face for the first time in yesterday's press conference at the Max's of Manila restaurant in Glendale, CA.

"But that's all going to change September 10... I hope all of you can come out to see this great fight," added Velasquez in a report posted by 15rounds.com.

On the other hand appeared calm and cool when it was his turn to speak.

"I am honored to fight here in Los Angeles. The people have been wonderful to me, " said Pacquiao, who was cheered on by a relatively small throng of fans who flocked to the restaurant to catch a glimpse of the Filipino ring icon.

Pacquiao's tormentor, Mexican star Erik Morales, will also fight in the same card against 1996 USA Olympian Zahir Raheem.

Pacquiao, in an earlier interview, has expressed confidence on beating Velasquez, a hard-hitting fighter who has won five fights in a row and is 9-1-1 in his last 11 fights. Velasquez's only loss was dealt by Rocky Juarez in a fight many at ringside felt was won by the roughed Mexican.

Juarez described Velasquez as "very tough and difficult opponent."

"Velasquez is definitely the toughest fighter I have faced. His style was awkward and it was hard getting a rhythm off of what he was doing. He was crafty inside doing all kinds of things like holding and hitting, elbows you name it. I know most people think it might have been Morales but even though he dropped me I still think Velasquez was tougher," said Juarez.

Velazquez boasts of a victory over former world champion Guty Espadas and has faced the likes of Kevin Kelly, Robbie Peden, Israel Vazquez and Raul "Jibaro" Perez.

On his most recent bout last July 15, stopped Trinidad Mendoza in the fifth round. Velazquez is 3-0 this year with wins over Guadalupe Hernandez and Marcos Licona.

Aside from Pacquiao and Velasquez, also present in the press luncheon were Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, Vanes Martirosyan, Pacquiao's new manager Shelly Finkel, and 2000 Olympian Brian Viloria, who got the admiration of most of the people in the restaurant for his very patriotic demeanor.

Viloria, who is set to challenge WBC light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz in a 12-round title bout, declared himself 100 percent Filipino, after Arum introduced him as being "part Filipino."

"First of all, I want to clear things up, " said Viloria. "I'm not part Filipino, I'm [full] Filipino."

Viloria said he was born in Hawaii "but not by choice," adding that he would have loved nothing more than to be raised in the Philippines just like his parents.

"I'm going to wear the Philippine flag on my trunks," Viloria said. "And I hope that you will embrace me as one of your own," he added.