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Valero:Pacquiao will put Hatton to sleep!
Valero says Manny will kayo Hatton
By Joaquin Henson Updated December 21, 2008 12:00 AM
Manny Pacquiao is presented a framed copy of a full-page ad celebrating his win over De la Hoya and front page photo of the fight in The STAR as PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan’s birthday gift by Smart Sports’ Patrick Gregorio (third from left) in General Santos City last Wednesday with, from left, David Diaz, Harry Tañamor, Edwin Valero and Rep. Monico Puentevella looking on.
Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero said the other day Manny Pacquiao will put Ricky Hatton to sleep when the brawlers face off, possibly in May in Las Vegas, but warned the Filipino icon of a reverse ending if ever they cross paths in the future.
Valero, who’s in town on vacation as Pacquiao’s guest until tomorrow, meant no disrespect to his host but candidly spoke of what could happen in case they meet.
“I’m honored that Manny invited me to visit his country,” said Valero in Spanish. “But we’re both fighters. Sooner or later, we might see each other in the ring. Maybe, after two fights, I can challenge Manny at whatever weight he wants - even at 147. If that happens, I’m sorry to say I’ll knock him out.”
Valero, 27, is close to signing a contract with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum who recently confirmed arranging a fight for the unbeaten former WBA superfeatherweight champion against Colombia’s Antonio Pitalua in Mexico in March in an interim WBC lightweight title bout.
At the moment, Valero is an “independent,” said his travelling companion and interpreter Rafael Garcia Jr. Valero has received offers to sign with Golden Boy, Lou DiBella and even Don King but it appears his preference is Top Rank which promotes Pacquiao.
Valero was contracted by Oscar de la Hoya as a sparmate during his training for Pacquiao at Big Bear, California, but after dealing the Golden Boy a black eye, got his walking papers.
“Oscar isn’t admitting Edwin gave him a black eye,” said Garcia. “We don’t care. We know what happened. Edwin didn’t mean to hurt Oscar. And Edwin didn’t stay long in his camp.”
Garcia confessed that Valero went to De la Hoya’s camp to explore the possibility of joining the Golden Boy stable. Valero found out he wasn’t welcome.
Valero’s problem is he still has no license to fight in the US except in Texas because in 2004, a brain scan administered in New York showed the scar of a fractured skull sustained in a motorcycle accident three years before.
Valero’s inability to fight in Las Vegas, where boxing stars are born, has hampered his progress. In fact, he relocated to Tokyo in 2005 to keep busy and had to fight in Panama to win the WBA title a year later.
But Garcia said he expects Valero to be given his Nevada license before the middle of next year. Prior to the brain scan finding, Valero had fought thrice in the US. He has thrilled fans in Argentina, France, Mexico, Japan and Panama in compiling an unblemished record of 24-0 with 24 KOs, including 19 in the first round. Valero once held the record for scoring 18 straight first round knockouts since turning pro, breaking Young Otto’s streak of 15 set in 1905. The record is now held by Tyrone Brunson, an American middleweight who posted his 19th consecutive first round knockout last March.
Valero said Hatton will be easy prey for Pacquiao.
“Hatton has no defense,” Valero noted. “He’ll come straight up. He has no chance against Manny. I don’t know how many rounds it will go but I can see Manny taking him out easily.”
Valero, however, cautioned Pacquiao against Floyd Mayweather who’s being lured out of retirement for a showdown late next year.
“Mayweather is very dangerous,” said Valero. “His defense is excellent. He uses his shoulders to deflect punches. He won’t throw too many punches because he waits for you to make a mistake. Like what he did to Hatton. Once Hatton gave him an opening, Mayweather knocked him out. It’ll be a good fight between Manny and Mayweather.”
Valero hesitated to predict if Pacquiao would beat Mayweather.
As for Pacquiao’s future plans, Valero said the Filipino will continue fighting beyond Hatton and Mayweather.
“Manny’s in his prime,” said Valero. “I know a fighter’s mentality. No matter what happens in politics, Manny will want to keep fighting. I don’t think he’ll retire after two fights.”
Valero said he’d rather not talk about a possible match down the road against Pacquiao.
“It would be a dishonor since I’m his guest,” said Valero. “But I notice a lot of Filipino fans are asking if I’d like to fight Manny. I think the fans want Manny to fight me. That would be an explosive fight. Maybe, someone can ask Manny if he’d like to fight me. For sure, I’ll be ready.”
Garcia said Valero is on a “promotional tour” to make himself known in major boxing circles. That’s why he accepted Pacquiao’s invitation to visit the Philippines.
By Joaquin Henson Updated December 21, 2008 12:00 AM
Manny Pacquiao is presented a framed copy of a full-page ad celebrating his win over De la Hoya and front page photo of the fight in The STAR as PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan’s birthday gift by Smart Sports’ Patrick Gregorio (third from left) in General Santos City last Wednesday with, from left, David Diaz, Harry Tañamor, Edwin Valero and Rep. Monico Puentevella looking on.
Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero said the other day Manny Pacquiao will put Ricky Hatton to sleep when the brawlers face off, possibly in May in Las Vegas, but warned the Filipino icon of a reverse ending if ever they cross paths in the future.
Valero, who’s in town on vacation as Pacquiao’s guest until tomorrow, meant no disrespect to his host but candidly spoke of what could happen in case they meet.
“I’m honored that Manny invited me to visit his country,” said Valero in Spanish. “But we’re both fighters. Sooner or later, we might see each other in the ring. Maybe, after two fights, I can challenge Manny at whatever weight he wants - even at 147. If that happens, I’m sorry to say I’ll knock him out.”
Valero, 27, is close to signing a contract with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum who recently confirmed arranging a fight for the unbeaten former WBA superfeatherweight champion against Colombia’s Antonio Pitalua in Mexico in March in an interim WBC lightweight title bout.
At the moment, Valero is an “independent,” said his travelling companion and interpreter Rafael Garcia Jr. Valero has received offers to sign with Golden Boy, Lou DiBella and even Don King but it appears his preference is Top Rank which promotes Pacquiao.
Valero was contracted by Oscar de la Hoya as a sparmate during his training for Pacquiao at Big Bear, California, but after dealing the Golden Boy a black eye, got his walking papers.
“Oscar isn’t admitting Edwin gave him a black eye,” said Garcia. “We don’t care. We know what happened. Edwin didn’t mean to hurt Oscar. And Edwin didn’t stay long in his camp.”
Garcia confessed that Valero went to De la Hoya’s camp to explore the possibility of joining the Golden Boy stable. Valero found out he wasn’t welcome.
Valero’s problem is he still has no license to fight in the US except in Texas because in 2004, a brain scan administered in New York showed the scar of a fractured skull sustained in a motorcycle accident three years before.
Valero’s inability to fight in Las Vegas, where boxing stars are born, has hampered his progress. In fact, he relocated to Tokyo in 2005 to keep busy and had to fight in Panama to win the WBA title a year later.
But Garcia said he expects Valero to be given his Nevada license before the middle of next year. Prior to the brain scan finding, Valero had fought thrice in the US. He has thrilled fans in Argentina, France, Mexico, Japan and Panama in compiling an unblemished record of 24-0 with 24 KOs, including 19 in the first round. Valero once held the record for scoring 18 straight first round knockouts since turning pro, breaking Young Otto’s streak of 15 set in 1905. The record is now held by Tyrone Brunson, an American middleweight who posted his 19th consecutive first round knockout last March.
Valero said Hatton will be easy prey for Pacquiao.
“Hatton has no defense,” Valero noted. “He’ll come straight up. He has no chance against Manny. I don’t know how many rounds it will go but I can see Manny taking him out easily.”
Valero, however, cautioned Pacquiao against Floyd Mayweather who’s being lured out of retirement for a showdown late next year.
“Mayweather is very dangerous,” said Valero. “His defense is excellent. He uses his shoulders to deflect punches. He won’t throw too many punches because he waits for you to make a mistake. Like what he did to Hatton. Once Hatton gave him an opening, Mayweather knocked him out. It’ll be a good fight between Manny and Mayweather.”
Valero hesitated to predict if Pacquiao would beat Mayweather.
As for Pacquiao’s future plans, Valero said the Filipino will continue fighting beyond Hatton and Mayweather.
“Manny’s in his prime,” said Valero. “I know a fighter’s mentality. No matter what happens in politics, Manny will want to keep fighting. I don’t think he’ll retire after two fights.”
Valero said he’d rather not talk about a possible match down the road against Pacquiao.
“It would be a dishonor since I’m his guest,” said Valero. “But I notice a lot of Filipino fans are asking if I’d like to fight Manny. I think the fans want Manny to fight me. That would be an explosive fight. Maybe, someone can ask Manny if he’d like to fight me. For sure, I’ll be ready.”
Garcia said Valero is on a “promotional tour” to make himself known in major boxing circles. That’s why he accepted Pacquiao’s invitation to visit the Philippines.
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