‘BobPac’ unfazed by Soto’s ring mark

Bobby Pacquiao vows to put up a solid fight against Mexican Humberto Soto when they slug it out in the undercard of the Miguel Cotto-Zab Judah blockbuster fight dubbled ‘X-plosive’ on June 9 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Facing the former WBC (World Boxing Council) interim champion for the first time in a press launch at the EL Paseo Inn in Los Angeles Wednesday, Pacquiao said he is unfazed by the power of the taller Mexican fighter, whom reports said has looked past the younger Pacquiao and has set his sights too early towards the other Pacquiao – Manny.

“I respect him as a fighter and it’s nice to know that he respects me too. But I hope he really looks past me. Then he will find out why certain Mexican boxers bring the best in the Pacquiaos,” said Bobby in an interview with Philboxing.com.

Bobby Pacquiao is set to leave for New York on June 4.

“I’ve prepared hard for this fight and it’s going to be a great fight,” said Pacquiao, according to Fightnews.com.

Trainer Freddie Roach also expressed confidence in his ward’s chances.

“Bobby’s really focused for this fight and he’s training hard,” the noted American trainer, who helped transform Manny Pacquiao from a budding challenger to a world-class fighter, said.

Although the favorite based on his 18-fight win streak, Soto has refused to take his opponent lightly, saying: “I just want to tell you that it is going to be a great fight. I don’t think it matters who wins but it will be the fans who are going to be the winners after the fight.”

BobPac is very familiar with the Madison Garden, where he knocked out Kevin Kelly last year, a fight no one expected him to win.

Pundits, however, are expecting the fight to serve as a tuneup for Soto and not too many seem to believe that Bobby Pacquiao can pull this one off. But BobPac has proved them wrong not just once but twice when he demolished Kelly and Famoso Hernandez.  – Dante Navarro