By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao will wear Cleto Reyes gloves when he battles former two-time super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios in their Mano-A-Mano showdown at the Araneta Coliseum on July 2.
Pacquiao’s manager Shelly Finkel told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that he had ordered the gloves some days ago and they had arrived. Finkel revealed that Larios himself had indicated he wanted to wear Mexican gloves which made things easier. However, Finkel said yesterday Larios said he would wear Reyes gloves " but we are not sure because he usully doesnt."
Under current rules initiated in Las Vegas, Nevada which is the capital of world championship boxing, fighters are allowed to wear the gloves of their choice and Roach believes the Reyes gloves which are regarded as “punchers gloves” suit Pacquiao best.
Pacquiao himself indicated he was prepared to wear any brand of gloves for the Larios fight although he and Roach in particular had vehemently protested former promoter Murad Muhammad’s action in which he signed the first fight contract for the Erik Morales bout stipulating Winning gloves which are soft and heavily padded.
With Pacquiao’s awesome punching power, including a thunderous right hook that he has developed, the Reyes gloves are expected to make his job of hurting Larios and taking him out even easier.