80-rd card up for Pacquiao-Larios tiff

Manny Pacquiao Promotions yesterday unveiled an 80-round card in the much-awaited l2-round showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Mexico’s Oscar Larios on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Filipino matchmaker Rex "Wakee" Salud described the showdown as "a boxing menu fit for the ‘masa’ and the rich."

A pair of six-rounders will have Roel Laguna against Dodie Boy Agravio while Ritchie Metranum of Gensan fights Efren Huertas, also of Manila.

This is followed by a pair of eight-rounders, pitting North Cotabato’s Glenn Porras, a protégée of Gov. Manny Pinol, against Cebu’s Jerope Jopar Mercado. Completing the supporting card is the match between GenSan’s Ernel Fontanilla against Ariel Delgado, the pride of Manila.

Four 10-rounders will have the full force of the "Pilipinas contra Mexico" matches in the card.

Gerry Penalosa is taking on Garson Guerrero in the first 10-rounder, followed by the Jimrex Jaca versus Adrian Valdez and Rey Boom Boom Bautista against Alejandro Felix Montiel.

Randy "Kumong Bato" Suico brings up the rear in his fight against Silverio Ortiz.

At about 11 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. (Manila time), which should be around 7 a.m. in the US (Saturday, July 1) comes the historic fight between the Filipino icon Pacquiao against Mexican Oscar "Chololo" Larios in a 12-round title clash.

ABS-CBN, the media partner of MP Promotions for world-wide television, radio and pay-per-view release of the bout, is all set to serve the global market, the first time such a big boxing package is beamed throughout the world by the Philippines in what is billed "as a feather in the cap of Filipino promoters to put up world-class bouts with an exceptional and unique theme."

It is a boxing event fought by Filipinos, promoted by a Filipino and broadcast by Filipinos, ABS-CBN officials also said.

It will also be shown through ABS-CBN’s local stations along with the Filipino Channel, INDemand , Direct TV and the network’s Mexican broadcast partner.