Thursday was the day for the final press
conference for Saturday's "Double Trouble" card at the Staples Center in Los
Angeles, California. The combatants met at the Wilshire Grand Hotel for the
fight's final presser. In the main events, Manny Pacquiao will meet Hector
Velazquez and Erik Morales will face Zahir Raheem. This could be the final
stepping stone for a possible rematch between the two lightweights. Both
seemed confident, and assured everyone that they were not looking past their
respective opponents.
Manny Pacquiao was in a very upbeat and jovial mood. He went on to say
that it will be an honor headlining the card with Morales. He further said
that he is 100% ready for the fight, and is expecting a tough fight from
Velazquez. He even went so far as to plug his upcoming movie that is due out
soon.
Velazquez was a little more toned down
when discussing Saturday night's fight, "They know that I'm not an easy
fighter, and you'll never see me go backwards in this fight, I'm going right
after him". Pacquiao's new promoter Gary Shaw was on hand, and joked with
the large contingent of Filipino media, "I was born in New Mexico, and lived
in New Jersey, but I am 100% Filipino."
Erik Morales was also upbeat, and even heaped some praise upon his
opponent Raheem. He stated that Raheem is a good fighter, and that he
expects a good fight on Saturday. He also played part time promoter when he
talked about his fellow countrymen Velazquez and Eric Ortiz, "I'm here with
Velazquez and Ortiz, and they'll be in exciting fights, if I wasn't
fighting, I would be at ringside watching them fight."
Raheem was very quiet before and during
the press conference. He simply came to the podium and thanked everybody,
and was already sitting down before he had even started.
Maybe the most exciting fight of the card won't even be televised. Eric
Ortiz will defend his WBC light flyweight title against Brian Viloria.
Viloria is coming off a tough and much publicized win over Ruben Contreras
in his last fight, in which Contreras collapsed and fell into a coma after
the fight. Thankfully, Contreras recovered from what was a blood clot in his
brain, and is back to being able to walk and have a normal life. Viloria
dedicated the fight on Saturday to Contreras. Contreras is expected to be
ringside at Saturday's fight. Viloria also said to the press, "I was born in
Hawaii, but my parents are from the Philippines, I'm 100% Filipino, and
proud of that." Ortiz was quiet and focused, saying that he will be coming
to make a war on Saturday.
Also on the non-televised portion of the card will be Filipino
sensation, Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista. Bautista will be making his debut
in the United States, and sports a 14-0 record with 11 KOs. He is believed
in the Philippines to be the next big thing. Bautista will take on Columbian
Felix Flores, who is 12-4-1. Undefeated prospect Urbano Antillon will be on
the card facing Gustavo Tapia. Antillon is 15-0, and one of Top Rank's more
highly touted prospects. 2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes Martirosyan will be back
in action when he takes on Gerardo Prieto. Martirosyan of Glendale,
California is 3-0 with 1 KO, while Prieto is 4-2-1. One side note for
Saturday night's card is that trainer Freddie Roach will be in the corner
for four different fights on Saturday. He will be in the corner for
Bautista, Martirosyan, Viloria, and Pacquiao.
The two main events of the card can be seen on HBO at 6:45 eastern time
on Saturday night. The card is set to get underway at 4:30 pm on Saturday
night at the Staples Center for those attending with doors opening at 3:30
pm.
Questions?
Comments? Email Tom Dickie
Manny Pacquiao takes on Hector
Velazquez this Saturday, September 10th at the Staples Center in Los
Angeles, California. The Pacquiao-Velazquez pairing is serving as
a co-feature to a bout between three division champion Erik 'El
Terrible' Morales and 1996 Olympian Zahir Raheem. Both fights will be
televised by HBO and the broadcast kicks off at 9:45 PM/ET.
