Manny accepts Valero challenge

 Manny Pacquiao has set aside his plans to move up to the lightweight division and instead remain as a super-featherweight for a possible crack at WBA king Edwin Valero.

“I think I’d stay here first for awhile,” said Pacquiao Tuesday evening outside the Los Angeles International Airport, and reiterated his desire to stay in the division during his press conference at the DENR office after making a call on DENR Secretary and long-time friend Lito Atienza.

Last Saturday, at the Mandalay he handily beat Marco Antonio Barrera in 12 rounds, and sent the 33-year-old Mexican into retirement. A third-round knockout win last April also made Erik Morales consider retirement.

During the post-fight press conference at Mandalay Bay, Barrera welcomed Valero up the stage and said the knockout artist from Venezuela is the only one capable of beating Pacquiao at the moment.

“I felt challenged by Barrera’s statement that Valero can beat me. So I’ve decided to stay here for the moment and take the challenge,” added Pacquiao who is also considering a rematch with WBC champion Juan Manuel Marquez.  

“He talks like a champion so I might as well try him, too,” said Pacquiao of Valero, who was at Mandalay Bay for the fight. Later, he said Pacquiao was “all speed with no power.”

Against Marquez, whom he knocked down thrice before settling for a controversial draw in 2004, Pacquaio said a rematch remains a possibility. He, however, stressed that the Mexican champion has been demanding a bigger purse in negotiations.

“If he agrees to negotiate then there would be no problem,” said Pacquiao.

 If Pacquiao takes on Valero, the fight might be held somewhere outside of the US where Valero is banned from fighting after failing a medical that showed some sort of a head injury as a result of a motorcycle accident years ago.

Valero is unbeaten in 22 fights and won them all by knockout. He knocked out his first 18 opponents in the first round.

Pacquiao has hinted that he might climb the ring in February for a possible three-fight calendar next year.

A day after beating Barrera, Pacquiao aired his plans to move up to 135 lbs after a little trouble making 130 lbs. Then he said he’d like to take a shot at David Diaz, the reigning lightweight champion.

Pacquiao has even asked for tapes of previous Diaz bouts, including the one he had against Morales a few months back.

But his trainer, Freddie Roach, said Pacquiao should stay a little longer as a super-featherweight since there are attractive fights left in the crowded weight class.

“There are a lot of big fights at 130, the winner of the Marquez and (Rocky) Juarez fight and the winner of the Soto and (Joan) Guzman fight. There are a lot of good fights at 130,” said the American trainer.