LOS ANGELES, CA, MARCH 22 - Top Rank promotions held a press conference for their Pay-Per-View extravaganza yesterday at the Palm Restaurant in Los Angeles. Entitled "Blaze of Glory," the card features Philipino Superstar Manny Pacquiao (43-3-2, 33KOs), Mexican sensation Jorge Arce (46-3-1, 35KOs), Hawaiian rising star Brian Viloria (19-1-1, 12KOs) and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (30-0-1, 23KOs). The event will be hosted at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX on April 14th.
Pacquiao will be without his lead trainer Freddie Roach who has been substituted with Wildcard Boxing trainer Justin Fortune . Roach is currently training Oscar de la Hoya for his upcoming meeting with Floyd Mayweather Jr. When asked how training has been with Roach out, Fortune told touchgloves.com that "training has been the way its always been with Manny. Nothing has changed." Pacquiao will face Jorge "Coloradito" Solis (32-0-2, 23KOs) who is undefeated with an impressive record.
Jorge "El Travieso" Arce who was not present at the press conference will take on Cristian Mijares (30-3-2, 11KOs). Mijares will be defending his WBC title. Arce is currently ranked #1. Arce is considered one of the most exciting fighters in boxing today. His appreances on several Mexican reality tv shows have propelled him into stardom.
Viloria told touchgloves.com that new trainer Joe Goosen has provided him with more direction and form. "I'm just going back to the basics. My style remains the same, but I will press my game to make sure Idont leave it to the judges." Vilora was referring to his controversial match against Nino Romero where the judges called it a draw. Romero later failed a drug test and was stripped of his title. Viloria will face Edgar Sosa (26-5, 14KOs) for the Vacant WBC Mini Flyweight Championship.
Chavez Jr. faces Anthony Shuler (20-4-1, 14KOs) in the opening bout of the match. Shuler fought at 174lbs in 2003. Chavez Jr. is the son of boxing icon Julio Caesar Chavez.
Top Rank President Bob Arum said that this is going to be a non-stop action card and we agree. Four of boxings most exciting fighters will be taking on worthy opponents in what should be an impressive PPV event. Tune in on April 14!
Remaining tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or by calling the Alamodome Box Office at (210) 207-3663. Tickets are priced at $300, $200, $100, $75, $50, $35.
(Photos by Jeff Soklin/touchgloves.com)
