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Pacman prefers Valero faceoff
By Abac Cordero
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao said he wants to fight Edwin Valero next because for one, he thinks he can easily handle the explosive WBA super-featherweight champion from Venezuela.
“I like to fight him. I like to fight Valero because he is careless on top of the ring,” said Pacquiao after he nailed his fourth world title with a masterful knockout of David Diaz Saturday.
Even before the night was over, names of Pacquiao’s possible opponents in November have started to crop up, including Valero, and lightweights Ricky Hatton and Joel Casamayor.
Bob Arum of Top Rank said he wants Valero next for Pacquiao because facing the 26-year-old Venezuelan, who has knocked out all his first 24 opponents, should be very interesting.
“I think the people will love it because he’s a huge knockout guy. And he can make 135. He’s gonna do it. That’s the fight we’re going to be making,” said Arum of Pacquiao’s Nov. 8 bout.
Wakee Salud, one of Pacquiao’s advisers, however, claimed that Valero’s manager, Akihiko Honda, told him the WBA champion is not yet ready to face the Filipino four-time world champ.
“He said Valero doesn’t stand a chance against Pacquiao after seeing him fight Diaz. They want to back off. Besides, Valero needs a little more exposure here before fighting Manny,” Salud said.
It’s contrary to what Arum’s statement saying Valero is willing to move up to 135 lbs to do a fight with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao wasn’t even aware that the 26-year-old Valero, who has challenged the Filipino to a fight a couple of times, is the reigning World Boxing Association super-featherweight champion.
“So, he’s a champion?” Pacquiao said of Valero. He said he knows how Valero moves in the ring because he had sparred with the Venezuelan once at the Wild Card Gym, although he couldn’t recall exactly when.
Salud told Pacquiao vs Casamayor should also be a good fight, but they have to check first how the 36-year-old Cuban fares against Juan Manuel Marquez when they fight on Sept. 13 at the MGM.
It will be Marquez’ debut in the lightweight class, and the former super-featherweight champion thinks that beating Casamayor can lead him up to a third fight with Pacquiao at 135 lbs.
Then Pacquiao said he wants Hatton, too.
“Whoever is fine with me. It could be Hatton who I can move up to 140 pounds and go for another record,” said Pacquiao inside the bedroom of his suite at THE Hotel of Mandalay Bay.
One of Hatton’s trainers, Lee Beard, made a surprise visit at Pacquiao suite, saying he just wanted to greet Pacquiao, have his picture taken with the Pinoy icon, and his boxing shorts autographed.
Beard stood close to Pacquiao, and said he stands almost the same as Hatton.
“You’re almost very similar. That will be a good fight,” said Beard before reminding Pacquiao that “The Hitman” from Manchester is scheduled to meet Paul Malignaggi in November.
But he didn’t close the door on a possible Pacquiao-Hatton fight at 140 lbs.
Beard stayed on and caught a tape of the Pacquiao-Diaz bout, and couldn’t help but notice that the American Olympian is just too slow for the Filipino.
“Diaz is slow. Hatton is fast. He’s faster than that,” said Beard.
Whoever is may be, Pacquiao said he’s ready.
“They all like me because I’m handsome,” he joked.
By Abac Cordero
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao said he wants to fight Edwin Valero next because for one, he thinks he can easily handle the explosive WBA super-featherweight champion from Venezuela.
“I like to fight him. I like to fight Valero because he is careless on top of the ring,” said Pacquiao after he nailed his fourth world title with a masterful knockout of David Diaz Saturday.
Even before the night was over, names of Pacquiao’s possible opponents in November have started to crop up, including Valero, and lightweights Ricky Hatton and Joel Casamayor.
Bob Arum of Top Rank said he wants Valero next for Pacquiao because facing the 26-year-old Venezuelan, who has knocked out all his first 24 opponents, should be very interesting.
“I think the people will love it because he’s a huge knockout guy. And he can make 135. He’s gonna do it. That’s the fight we’re going to be making,” said Arum of Pacquiao’s Nov. 8 bout.
Wakee Salud, one of Pacquiao’s advisers, however, claimed that Valero’s manager, Akihiko Honda, told him the WBA champion is not yet ready to face the Filipino four-time world champ.
“He said Valero doesn’t stand a chance against Pacquiao after seeing him fight Diaz. They want to back off. Besides, Valero needs a little more exposure here before fighting Manny,” Salud said.
It’s contrary to what Arum’s statement saying Valero is willing to move up to 135 lbs to do a fight with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao wasn’t even aware that the 26-year-old Valero, who has challenged the Filipino to a fight a couple of times, is the reigning World Boxing Association super-featherweight champion.
“So, he’s a champion?” Pacquiao said of Valero. He said he knows how Valero moves in the ring because he had sparred with the Venezuelan once at the Wild Card Gym, although he couldn’t recall exactly when.
Salud told Pacquiao vs Casamayor should also be a good fight, but they have to check first how the 36-year-old Cuban fares against Juan Manuel Marquez when they fight on Sept. 13 at the MGM.
It will be Marquez’ debut in the lightweight class, and the former super-featherweight champion thinks that beating Casamayor can lead him up to a third fight with Pacquiao at 135 lbs.
Then Pacquiao said he wants Hatton, too.
“Whoever is fine with me. It could be Hatton who I can move up to 140 pounds and go for another record,” said Pacquiao inside the bedroom of his suite at THE Hotel of Mandalay Bay.
One of Hatton’s trainers, Lee Beard, made a surprise visit at Pacquiao suite, saying he just wanted to greet Pacquiao, have his picture taken with the Pinoy icon, and his boxing shorts autographed.
Beard stood close to Pacquiao, and said he stands almost the same as Hatton.
“You’re almost very similar. That will be a good fight,” said Beard before reminding Pacquiao that “The Hitman” from Manchester is scheduled to meet Paul Malignaggi in November.
But he didn’t close the door on a possible Pacquiao-Hatton fight at 140 lbs.
Beard stayed on and caught a tape of the Pacquiao-Diaz bout, and couldn’t help but notice that the American Olympian is just too slow for the Filipino.
“Diaz is slow. Hatton is fast. He’s faster than that,” said Beard.
Whoever is may be, Pacquiao said he’s ready.
“They all like me because I’m handsome,” he joked.
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