Pacquiao gets cutman – just in case

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Manny Pacquiao will be in good hands, some very good hands, come fight time.

For the first time after 10 fights in the US, the sensational boxer from the Philippines has called in Joe Souza, the Picasso of cutmen, to work his fight with Mexican Jorge Solis Saturday at the Alamodome.

"A southpaw (Pacquiao) going up against an orthodox (Solis) always opens the possibility of a headbutt. That’s why you need a good cutman," said Justine Fortune, who handled Pacquiao’s training for this fight.

And you couldn’t get anyone better than Souza.

According to John Whisler of the San Antonio Express, the 68-year-old Souza is the "Picasso of cutmen."

The 68-year-old Souza has worked 85 world title fights for boxers like Pernell Whitaker, Andrew Golota and the Klitschko brothers. He was at Jesse James Leija’s corner in all but one of the latter’s 54 fights.

But he’s never worked one for a fighter like Pacquiao, probably the most exciting in the world today.

"I just hope we don’t find the need to call him in," said Fortune.

The last time Pacquiao suffered a nasty cut was in March of 2005 when he faced Erik Morales at the MGM Grand in Vegas, taking it in the fifth round but still managing to last the distance only to lose.

Lenny de Jesus worked that fight for Pacquiao and did a remarkable job making his fighter last. The left-handed knockout artist has never suffered any nasty cut since.

According to an article written by Whisler, Souza is known for his thick, oversized glasses smeared with Vaseline and cotton buds sticking from his mouth.

"It distracts people. They’re watching that, so I can work on other stuff without being interfered with," Souza was quoted in the article.

But again, Fortune hopes to find no need for Souza’s cotton buds.