Manny in trouble in Double Trouble

LOS ANGELES – Manny Pacquiao could be in for a lot of trouble if he fails to stop Hector Velazquez in the early rounds.

An official of Top Rank Promotions aired this observation Wednesday after he was asked about Saturday’s 12-round contest between the two fighters at the Staples Center.

Ricardo Jimenez, the Mexican public relations officer of Top Rank, said it would be better if Pacquiao could finish the fight early and avoid an overdrawn battle with Velazquez.

"Velazquez," said Jimenez, "should be tired by the end of the sixth round but if Manny Pacquiao gets tired by then, too, then he’s in trouble."

The Top Rank PR man said while the 30-year-old Velazquez is tough and strong, he doesn’t really have the skills to match up with the shifty 26-year-old Filipino junior-lightweight.

"He’s strong. He’s tough. That’s what he is – a tough guy but not really in the level of Pacquiao. Velazquez is not that skillful but he’s ready. He’s been at the gym everyday."

Pacquiao, who has a ring record of 39 wins, two losses and three draws with 30 knockouts, was listed by Sportsbook, an online betting station, as the early favorite against Velazquez (42-10-3 with 31 KOs).

Jimenez said he’s aware of the fact that Pacquiao trained seriously for the fight for only a month, and this may take a toll on him if and when the fight goes the distance.

"If Pacquiao finds trouble with someone he shouldn’t be, then it means he didn’t prepare well. If Manny gets him and Velazquez is able to take his punches, your guy is in trouble."

In fact, Jimenez believes that Pacquiao has a tougher assignment in Velazquez as compared to Erik Morales who also fights on Saturday against American Zahir Raheem.

"I really think Manny has a tougher fight," added the Mexican official of the "Double Trouble" card, which serves as a possible springboard to a Pacquiao-Morales rematch in January.

Jimenez said Pacquiao should never go into the fight thinking that it would be an easy one.

"If he thinks this guy (Velazquez) has no chance of beating him, then again, he’s in trouble," he said. – Abac Cordero