Mexican vows explosive fight against Pacquiao

Los Angeles — Hector Velasquez of Mexico on Thursday vowed there will be fireworks when he clashes with Manny Pacquiao on Sept. 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles although most fans believe they will come from the Filipino ring idol, who is raring to re-claim his revered place on the world boxing stage.

The fight, a 12-round super featherweight bout, is the co-feature of Top Rank’s boxing offering aptly dubbed "Double Trouble," which will also have Pacquiao’s tormentor Erik Morales fighting against American Zahir Raheem.

Pacquiao and Velasquez came face-to-face in Thursday’s press conference (Friday morning in Manila) at the Max’s Restaurant in Glendale, California with the Filipino southpaw, who arrived in a simple round-neck navy blue shirt and jeans, in an unusually reserved manner.

Pacquiao (39-3-2, 30 KOs) is trying to bounce back from his recent loss to Morales in Las Vegas, hoping a victory over Velasquez will gain him another crack at the three-time world champion either in late December this year or early January next year, provided Morales will hurdle Raheem.

For Velasquez (41-10-2, 30 KOs), the fight could be the defining moment of his career.

"Throughout my career I’ve been known to come out on the losing end of big fights," said Velasquez. "But that’s all going to change Sept. 10... I hope all of you can come out to see this great fight."

Pacquiao, in an earlier interview, has expressed confidence in 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 rugged Mexican.

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

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.

But that doesn’t worry Pacquiao a bit.

"Ok naman, 100 percent naka-focus ako sa ensayo ko. Ayos at walang problema (I’m okay and 100 percent focused in my training. I’m all right and got no problem)," said Pacquiao when asked about his physical and mental condition heading into the fight.

"I am honored to fight here in Los Angeles. The people have been wonderful to me," he added. — Emmanuel Villaruel, Freeman News Service