Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar Larios set

[KKisser]

http://philboxing.com/news/story-5360.html

Pacquiao vs Larios set May 20 in Manila

By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
19 Feb 2006

The big tune-up bout for superstar Manny Pacquiao against former WBC superbantam king Oscar "Chololo" Larios has been scheduled to take place on May 20 in Manila.

Reports coming out of Mexico have indicated that Rafael Mendoza, the adviser for Larios, has already agreed to the terms and conditions of the said fight, which is going to be a 10-round non-title event preparatory to Pacquiao's mammoth rubbermatch with Erik Morales on September 16 in Las Vegas.

No venue has yet been set, although the Araneta Coliseum seems to be the front-runner to snag the fight, which is going to be one of the biggest boxing extravaganza since the Thrilla in Manila.

The card is expected to be a matchmakers' and fans' delight, with an array of topnotch fighters penciled in to see action on the undercard.

Among those considered to fight in the card are WBC light-flyweight kingpin Brian Viloria, WBO Asia Pacific bantam titlist Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista, WBC no. 1 minimumweight and OPBF champ Rodel Mayol, OPBF super-feather ruler Randy Suico, and RP super-featherweight boss Jimrex Jaca.

Following his stirring 10th-round demolition of the legendary Erik Morales last month, pundits believed Pacquiao would take a tune-up bout against an easy opponent whose style would make him look good.

By choosing Larios (56-4-1, 36 KO's), Pacquiao did not only choose a livewire opponent, but someone who has the tools to beat and humilitate him in front of his countrymen. The bout, according to sources, got the approval by leading network HBO, and choosing another foe would have HBO executives having second thought on airing it on pay-per-view back in the United States.

The southpaw Pacquiao (41-3-2, 33 KO's) is reportedly taking on all comers, as he has his sights set on becoming the greatest Filipino fighter of all times.
END

[mokele]

That's a big surprise for me, since Pacquaio has been fighting at 130 lbs. recently while Larios has been fighting mainly as a super bantamweight, around 121-122 lbs. I wonder what their weight will be for the fight? I'm guessing that they will fight as featherweights or super featherweights. Larios is 5'8" so he won't have any problem going up to 130 lbs. He probably walks around between fights at a weight higher than that anyway.

It should be a great fight. Larios moves very well. I saw his last 3 fights. He was stopped on cuts to Israel Vazquez in a fight that was roughly even. His attitude was good after the fight. He wasn't even disappointed since it was just a fluke. He was too much for Wayne McCullough in their 2 fights both on the outside and on the inside. He impressed the heck out of me in those fights. Pacquaio has more power than McCullough though, and it should be a big problem for Larios. He doesn't clinch at all so we should see a great fight, 1 to remember!

I guess that I have to go with Pacquaio on this one. If he could overwhelm Morales he should be able to do the same thing to Larios. Larios will move a lot and stay outside as much as possible but Pacquaio will eventually catch him. Larios throws wide punches on the inside sometimes and that won't work at all against Pacquaio. I say Pacquaio by technical knockout by round 10.

[Green Burger]

Larios is not just a "tune-up" if the fight at featherweight! He's always been big for 122 pounds, at 126 he could be very competitive (except of course the fact that 126 is Pacquiao's best fighting weight now).

You gotta like Pacman, always keeping busy!

I am very interested in this fight, even though it's all-too conceivable that Pacquiao may end it quickly- because there's also the possibility that Larios will show up as the guy who was up there in our top 15 p4p lists before his last loss. This could be a really good fight.

But I don't have any interest in seeing another Pacquiao-Morales fight now. I enjoyed the first 2, but I'm afraid for Morales' health and I do not want to see this all over again. Why not fight JMM, MAB, or Jesus Chavez?

[El Gamo]

CC for article KKisser, this should be a great macth but I wonder what weight it is going to take place? Kudos to Pacman, he really wants to fight the best, has never shyed away from ANYONE!

[KKisser]

Larios is not just a "tune-up" if the fight at featherweight! He's always been big for 122 pounds, at 126 he could be very competitive (except of course the fact that 126 is Pacquiao's best fighting weight now).

You gotta like Pacman, always keeping busy!

I am very interested in this fight, even though it's all-too conceivable that Pacquiao may end it quickly- because there's also the possibility that Larios will show up as the guy who was up there in our top 15 p4p lists before his last loss. This could be a really good fight.

But I don't have any interest in seeing another Pacquiao-Morales fight now. I enjoyed the first 2, but I'm afraid for Morales' health and I do not want to see this all over again. Why not fight JMM, MAB, or Jesus Chavez?

it IS going to be at 130lbs and i also see it ending quickly within 6 rounds. although all boxing site surveys show that fans doesn't want to see morales in an immediate rematch with pacquiao, manny has to abide by the rematch clause in the contract that erik is exercising. but who knows, fighting at a 132lb catchweight could still be a deal breaker. a lot of things could still happen from now to september.

thanks game for the cc.

[ElTerribleMorales]

i pick Pac-Man to win relatively easy, Larios chin wont hold up

[Wacko3205]

I too see this as any easier night for Pac than what he had against Erik in either the first or second fight...but it is a bigger name...& that is impressive.

kisser.

[mataor]

a very exciting fight... but i think it would last dat much.... a span of 5 rounds will do.... they r both gud boxer... il go to pacman

[Violent Demise]

I think Pac wins. But I don't see a easy win.

[mataor]

nice oneee

[Purist]

Pac better not overlook this guy. And he better stop the partying ASAP.

[Violent Demise]

Pac better not overlook this guy. And he better stop the partying ASAP.

My thoughts exactly

[mataor]

well well.....pacman wins