WBC flyweight champion set to down challenger

WBC flyweight champion set to down challenger

MANILA (Agencies): World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines is predicting a two- round knockout of his Mexican challenger Gabriel Mira in their title bout here Saturday.

"He has a punch, but I will give him a nice fight," Pacquiao told AFP during the official weigh-in Friday.

"We can't say how long it will last but I may stop him in the second round."

The Filipino slugger was two pounds over the 112-pound limit on Thursday, but went down to 111.8 pounds after going without food overnight.

Mira, who at 24 is four inches shorter than the 5ft 6in champ, tipped the scales at 110.5 pounds.

Pacquiao, 20, has home crowd advantage as he makes the first defense of the title he wrested from Thailand's Chatchai Sasakul last year.

If he stops Mira, his record will improve to 27 wins and one loss. He already has 18 KOs under his belt.

President Joseph Estrada has also offered Pacquiao a half million-peso (US$13,144) incentive to win.

Mira's career record is 24 wins, 17 KOs, one draw and four defeats.

"I had studied him for about two months and I shall show him that I studied well in tomorrow's fight," Mira, said. "I am very confident I am going to win, whether by knockout or decision."

In Las Vegas, Nevada, Erik Morales will have a new opponent to replace Wayne McCullough when he defends his WBC super bantamweight title May 8.

Promoter Bob Arum said Thursday that McCullough injured his back in training and will be replaced by Juan Carlos Ramirez of Mexico.

Ramirez is 17-1 with seven knockouts.

Arum said Ramirez had been training for a May bout in Mexico when he got the call to replace McCullough, whose left lower back was injured when hit by a punch in training.