
Mag-San Miguel Muna tayo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Congressman Manny! Sunday, March 4, 2007
Pacquiao faces unbeaten Solis
‘Blaze of Glory’ is on
SAN ANTONIO, Texas: Filipino hero Manny Pacquiao will put his political aspirations aside Saturday (Sunday in Manila) when he faces unbeaten Mexican Jorge Solis in a super featherweight fight at the Alamodome.
After his latest battle, Pacquiao (43-3-2, 34 KOs) will switch focus to the May 14 polls in which he is standing as a congressional candidate in his native Philippines.
Pacquiao weighed in 128.5 during the official scaling Friday afternoon while Solis had to weigh in four times before reaching the 130-lb limit.
Last month, the General Santos City native’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, submitted Pacquiao’s certificate of candidacy to run in South Cotabato.
Pacquiao had long toyed with the idea of running for office, largely due to his unmatched popularity in his homeland where he comfortably transcends the sport and attracts television audiences in the millions to watch his fights.
Leading up to this 12-round bout against the untested Solis (32-0-2, 23 KOs), heavily-favored Pacquiao has also had to do without the services of normal trainer Freddie Roach, who is readying Oscar de la Hoya for his mammoth clash against Floyd Mayweather on May 5.
Despite the distractions, Pacquiao insists he will be ready for Solis.
“I’m very focused on training,” Pacquiao said. “I have a lot of people in the Philippines working my campaign and know how to campaign for Manny Pacquiao while I’m away training. I’m very confident that I can manage both.
“I’m still continuing with my boxing career and still fighting because that’s my job. Boxing is my job and that’s my sport.”
A major advantage for Solis will be the huge contingent of Mexican fans who are expected to fill the Alamodome.
“I hold the pride of Mexico in my two fists,” Solis said. “Be ready Manny, no excuses.”
Solis’ trainer, Fernando Beltran, is confident in his fighter.
“I really believe Solis will shock the Philippines and the world,” Beltran said. “Mexico will be very proud of its champion on Saturday night.”
The undercard features Jorge Arce (46-3-1, 35 KOs) against Cristian Mijares (30-3-2, 11 KOs) in a 12 rounds WBC super flyweight title fight.
Vic Drakulich will be the third man in the ring in the title fight while the judges are Larry O’Connell (England), Gale Van Hoy (Texas) and Oren Schellenberger (Texas).
Filipino-American Brian Viloria will try to regain the title he lost to Omar Niño Romero as he clashes with No. 2 ranked Edgar Sosa for WBC light flyweight title in one of the under cards of the event dubbed as “Blaze of Glory.”