Larios due to hype up fight

Manny Pacquiao and Oscar Larios, scheduled to square off on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum, will come face to face later this month when the Mexican fighter comes over to the Philippines to help promote the upcoming fight.

Larios will arrive on April 27 for a three-day visit. While in Manila, the former world champion in the 122 lb division will attend a press conference a day upon his arrival, do some TV appearances and meet some of the fight sponsors.

Larios and Pacquiao will grace the press conference,and probably size each other up before members of the media. At the same time, they are expected to issue their respective forecasts on how the fight, scheduled at 12 rounds and set at 130 lbs, would, could or should go.

Erik Pineda of Team Pacquiao yesterday confirmed the Larios visit. He said ABS-CBN, which has the broadcast rights on the fight, is calling the shots as far as Larios‚ stay in Manila is concerned.

Larios will arrive with his agent Rafael Mendoza, and most probably his manager Jose Reynoso. He can also get the chance to see decide on where he would want to stay or train when he returns to the country late June.

It will be the first meeting between Pacquiao and Larios, and the last before the two seasoned fighters plunge into serious training for the biggest sporting event to be held in the country this year. Millions of Filipinos are eagerly awaiting the chance to see the fight.

Larios will receive $450,000, his biggest paycheck ever, just to fight Pacquiao who is headed toward a third and final match with Mexican great Erik Morales probably in November. A fight with WBC 130 lb champion Marco Antonio Barrera is also awaiting Pacquiao.

By the time Larios leaves Manila, Pacquiao will be very busy preparing for his trip to the US. According to plans, the Filipino slugger will train at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, which is owned by his American trainer Fred Roach, for at least three weeks of May.

From Hollywood, Pacquiao will shift his training to Baguio City where he will hold camp in an exclusive, heavily-guarded property owned by San Miguel Corp., which recently inked a lifetime partnership contract with the Pinoy icon.

Pacquiao is scheduled to be back in Manila a week before the fight. By this time, Larios will also be in town as they are scheduled to hold a final press conference days before the fight, and the official weigh-in on the eve of the battle.

According to Internet reports, Larios has decided to train in Japan where his handlers have been assured of quality sparring partners. The Mexican boxer will arrive in Japan on June 2 and will stay there for at least three weeks. <