Valero trains guns on ‘monster from RP’ Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Fresh off his demolition of Antonio Pitalua for the vacant World Boxing Council lightweight title, Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero insists he’s ready for the big guns now, including Filipino star Manny Pacquiao. Valero, who knocked out Pitalua 49 seconds into the second round over the weekend in Austin Texas, said he is game for a megafight with pound for pound king Pacquiao, fighthype.com reported Tuesday. “I know there’s a so-called monster from the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao, and I’d like this monster, this strong man that everybody admires to give me the opportunity," said Valero, who won the same title that Pacquiao has relinquished with his 25th KO in 25 pro fights. Valero has been consistently calling out the fighter from General Santos City since his super feather weight days, wanting to prove his punching power against an equally-explosive rival. “He (Pacquiao) hasn’t felt anybody’s punch like mine. If fans want our fight, I’m ready to go," Valero said. But one thing going against Valero is the fact that he can only fight in Texas as other states have yet to issue license as a result of a head injury he suffered from a 2001 motorcycle accident. And Pacquiao, who is set to mix it up with Ricky Hatton on May 2 for the British fighter’s International Boxing Organization junior welterweight title, is apparently looking at the returning Floyd Mayweather, Jr next. If Pacquiao won’t bite, Valero also likes to tangle with Hatton. "If Manny or Hatton give me an opportunity, I would consider moving up and fighting them," Valero was quoted in a separate report by bbc.co.uk. But a more likely outing for Valero is a unification bout with World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization 135-lb holder Juan Manuel Marquez. Like Valero, the Mexican star is aching to get a date with the “Pac man." The 27-year-old Valero said he’s also good to go against Marquez. “I like Marquez. He’s moving up to 140 (lbs) but I’d like to catch him before he does that. He’s a technical fighter, a warrior in the ring and I’d like our promoters Top Rank and Golden Boy to maybe discuss the possibility of this fight happening," he said in a video interview posted at fighthype.com. Top Rank boss Bob Arum appears more inclined for a Valero-Manuel shindig, based on his statements during the Valero-Pituala post-fight gab posted at fighthype.com. “I really believe in my heart that Edwin Valero is the best lightweight in the world now. Juan Manuel Marquez may challenge, he has a couple of lightweight titles but he’s always talking about fighting Manny Pacquiao. So I say this message: If he (Marquez) wants to fight Manny Pacquiao, fight this guy (Valero) first because Manny wants to fight only the best lightweight," Arum said. –GMANews.TV