Pacquiao-Larios bout confirmed for July 2

Handlers of Manny Pacquiao and Oscar Larios have confirmed the July 2 fight between the two ring warriors over the weekend in Mexico with the Filipino boxing icon’s camp paying the necessary fees, including a guaranteed payment to the former Mexican world champion in case Pacquiao gets injured or decides to cancel the match.

"Pacquiao has signed another fight against Erik Morales in September and to cover Larios, there is a clause of penalty in case of a postponement or cancellation of the fight because Oscar will spend in its preparation," said Larios’ agent Rafael Mendoza as quoted by Mexican paper Esto En Linea yesterday.

Mendoza also confirmed that the corresponding deposit for the fight has been made and that the date remained confirmed for July 2 at 11 a.m. at the Big Dome.

"It will be in the same schedule of the battle between Mohammed Ali and Joe Frazier in Manila," he added, referring to the classic "Thrilla in Manila" in Oct. 1975.

Like the Ali-Frazer fight, the Pacquiao-Larios encounter will be beamed "live" Saturday night in the United States and Mexico. — Dante Navarro