‘Puncher’s gloves make no difference’

There’s no such thing as the "puncher’s gloves" as far as Oscar Larios’ agent is concerned.

"I don’t believe what they say that they are the puncher’s gloves," said Rafael Mendoza, referring to the Mexican-made Cleto Reyes boxing gloves.

This brand, some or even many believe, suits boxers known or branded as "punchers" because of the thinner padding around the knuckle area.

Cleto Reyes is Pacquiao’s brand of choice.

He used the Japan-made Winning gloves against Erik Morales in March of 2004, and lost. Last January, Pacquiao used Cleto Reyes gloves, and knocked Morales out in the 10th round.

Mendoza insisted that it doesn’t prove anything.

"I believe that Cleto Reyes are the best boxing gloves in the world because it fits you perfectly. In the anatomy of one’s fist, it’s the best pair of gloves," he said.

"So that’s why you feel more comfortable wearing it," he said.

The boxing agent of close to 50 years further explained why.

"I had a fighter once. He’s a world champion and he made 14 straight defense of his title. He was using Cleto Reyes. But he never scored a knockout. It was one decision after another.

"So it doesn’t mean that if you wear Cleto you will hit harder. When Mike Tyson was knocking out everybody, he wasn’t wearing Cleto Reyes. He was wearing Everlast.

"But there’s a mental aspect in it. If you feel lucky with it then wear it. Like volleyball players or basketball players, they have their favorite brands," Mendoza explained.

But for obvious reasons, Larios, he added, will wear Cleto Reyes against Pacquiao.

NOTES: Manny Pacquiao’s favorite red fighting shoes are back on the shoe rack. For tomorrow’s fight, the flamboyant fighter plans to wear a new one. It’s a white Mizuno, a gift from a personal friend from Japan. It has the fighter’s name on it and it comes with eye-catching red and gold tussles. He’s been using it in training for the past three days. He said it fits him perfectly fine. "Pasadya. Custom-made para sa akin. Ang ganda di ba?" said Pacman the first time he put them on last Wednesday…Bob Sheridan, an American boxing commentator who has done a total of 805 world title fights, is in town to do the fight broadcast to the US with another seasoned commentator Dave Bontempo. They were at Thursday’s press conference. Sheridan took the floor briefly and said:

"If you don’t have any idea who Oscar Larios is, he’s a tremendous fighter. I’ve done 805 world title fights but I can’t wait to see this one." It’s his second visit to Manila. The first was in 1975. Yes, for the Ali-Frazier fight… Those planning to visit Pacquiao at his Manila Hotel suite or those planning to call him through any of his four cellular phones today should do it another day, probably tomorrow after the fight, of course. Freddie Roach, the chief trainer, said Pacquiao would have to be isolated and kept inside his two-bedroom suite the moment he gets officially weighed this morning at the Discovery Suites. The next time he’d leave Manila Hotel is for the Big Dome, for the big fight.