By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao is ready to heed the patented "Let's get ready to rumble" call by renowned Ring Announcer Michael Buffer when he battles former two-time super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios in the Mano-A-Mano main event at the Araneta Coliseum, the "Mecca" of Philippine sports and entertainment, tomorrow.
Trainer Freddie Roach who has whipped Pacquiao into top shape given the limits of a six week training camp has set a maximum of six rounds within which he expects the devastating puncher from General Santos City to take Larios out. A majority of boxing authorities believe it may end sooner, depending on whether Pacquiao would want to begin the post-fight celebration early or whether he would want to give his adoring fans their money's worth considering that ticket prices are even higher than when he fought Erik "El Terrible" Morales at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao has looked awesome in his workouts in recent weeks, demonstrating incredible speed and vicious punching power. The added weapon in his arsenal is a right hook that can conceivably demolish any opponent and that includes Larios and thev rest of the Mexican warriors who have become mere statstics in the beaten column of the Filipino's ring record.
However, Larios' astute and respected manager Rafael Mendoza doesn't think Pacquiao will have things all his own way even before a hometown crowd because he said "the crowd doesnt throw pnches its only Manny and Oscar." Mendozal said the key to the fight would be whether Larios "can take that left bomb of Pacquiao and come back. If he does, then we'll be in business." However, Mendoza conceded that Larios was fighting "an idol, a helluva fighter and a very dangerous fighter who can finish a fight with one single punch in any round."
Providing Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today with an inkling of his fight plan Mendoza noted that Pacquiao "doesn't know how to punch going backward" which was evident in the first fight with Erik "El Terrible" Morales which Pacquiao lost, and Larios whose best punch is a right straight which is the recognized weapon against a southpaw, was prepared to put it all together tomorrow. Mendoza claimed that it was a right that fractured the ribs of WBC bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa in sparring in Tokyo but that since Larios was a shy person he didn't want to brag about it.
Larios has been training three times a day with emphasis on preparation to handle the devastating punches of Pacquiao and Mendoza believes his fighter is now much stronger, feels comfortable at the 130 pound limit instead of having to undergo a debilitating diet to make the 122 pound limit and will step into the ring at fight time at around 142 pounds.
Mendoza said Larios had the luxury of "training to beat Pacquiao and not to beat the scales which is a major psychological plus." He said Larios is smiling because he is happy. Mendoza said Larios was "mentally and emotionally one thousand percent and he is "the best I have seen him in his whole career. He is positive. He is motivated. Remember. if he wins this fight he will solve his problems for life because the money that they are going to pay us to make a rematch is going to be a mountain of gold."