By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Jimrex Jaca’s title fight against WBO interim featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez October 21 is in jeopardy after Jaca failed to secure a B1 visa from the US Embassy in Manila yesterday..
Jaca’s manager Rex “Wakee” Salud told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Kaca was told he could collect his visa yesterday but that when he showed up he was told his “name was not on the computer and was asked to return the following day.”
Salud said the fight “may be postponed or canceled.” At the same time he said he couldn’t understand the US embassy since Jaca’s trainer Robert Bubuli Jr was given a visa. At the same time Salud claimed the hard-hitting southpaw was in great shape and just over 127 pounds. He said “it’s a pity.”
However, Cebu journalist Rommel Manlosa reported that Jaca’s wife Len-Len had told him Jaca was not issued a visa “because his passport is missing.” Salud indicated that he was able to secure a new passport for Jaca since his old passport would expire in a couple of months.
Jaca’s wife also appeared to contradict Salud on the fighter’s weight. She was quoted as saying Jaca weighed just over 130 pounds and needed to trim down to 126 for Saturday’s title fight. Jaca’s listed manager Anol Jaca indicated that aside from the weight problem they were also concerned about the jet lag because if he leaves today he would arrive in El Pas, Texas just two days before the fight at the Don Haskins Center.
