MANILA, Philippines – Ipinagdiinan ni Venezuelan lightweight champ at knockout artist Edwin Valero ang kanyang kampanya kontra kay Manny Pacquiao at sinabi na ang kanyang promotional pact sa Top Rank ay nagsisiguro ng showdown kontra sa Pinoy ring icon, ang hari ng pound-for-poun sa buong mundo.
Sinabi din ng WBC lightweight champion, na walang talo sa 25 na laban, na siniguro din sa kanya ni Pacquiao ang kanilang laban, ayon sa isang ulat sa BoxingScene.com.
“My fight with Manny Pacquiao is signed. It was one of the conditions that I gave to my manager, Jose Castillo, for me to sign with Bob Arum (Top Rank),” pahayag umano ni Valero sa SNOV.
Wala sa listahan ang pangalan ni Valero sa mga inaasahang susunod na kalaban ni Pacquiao makaraang dimolisahin nito si British hero Ricky Hatton sa loob lamang ng dalawang rounds at maagaw ang IBO lightwelterweight crown.
Bukod pa sa dating pound-for-pound champion na si Floyd Mayweather Jr., at dating karibal na si Juan Manuel Marquez, inaasinta din ng kampo ni Pacquiao si Miguel Cotto sa 147 lbs. showdown.
Ipinagpipilitan ni Valero na maaari lamang tanggihan ni Pacquiao ang kanilang laban kung magreretiro na ito.
“This is something that he (Arum) has not revealed to the press because the fight is not mandatory, in case Pacquiao walks away. But that is the only way to avoid the fight, if he leaves boxing. So I am relaxed and working to build my name for my opportunity. It was something that was spoken about with Pacquiao and he said yes. That was in January,” ani Valero.