With a little less than a month to go before his much anticipated PPV match with undefeated Jorge Solis in San Antonio, Texas, Pilipino superstar Manny Pacquiao (43-3-2, 33 KO's) took some time off from the campaign trail (he is also currently running for a seat for congress in his native Philippines) to hold his first scheduled press conference for the upcoming "Blaze of Glory" fight card on April 14th. Although his opponent for that fight card is the WBC #2 ranked contender, one Jorge Solis (32-0-2, 23 KO's), there was little question that the topic of conversations was both Manny's curious timing in choosing now to run for congress, and of a pair of old foes named Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez, two fighters than have expressed a keen interest in stepping into the ring against Pacquiao one more time.

Although few fight fans know much about Solis, a quick review of his record would reveal to most insiders that he is not a fighter to take lightly, something that promoter Bob Arum stressed repeatedly at the press conference. "People ask me, 'why Jorge Solis?' After all, he's not the best known fighter round. What I say is that Solis, we've seen him fight, he's fought for us…he's undefeated. He's a tremendous boxer, puncher. Just remember, a number years ago there was a Mexican legend fighting in San Antonio named Marco Antonio Barrera, and he fought a virtually unknown fighter named Manny Pacquiao and you all saw what happened." Arum then added, "Let's hope that, for Manny's sake, that lightning strike's once, and not twice, over the Alamodome."

Solis was unable to attend the press conference due to some visa issues that rendered him unable to enter the country until tomorrow. Perhaps because of the omission, many in press row were more curious about Pacquiao's run for office, and the prospect of a rematch with either Barrera or Marquez. Arum commented on the run for congress, a move that has proven somewhat controversial with boxing fans, stating that he was in the minority of boxing fans who supported the decision. "Manny should be applauded because God knows he does well in boxing. He want's to help the people. He believes that the people are fed up with politicians, with nonsense promises, that they want somebody they can rely on, someone that they can relate to."

Arum also heaped praise on Pacquiao's exciting style, reminding fans that "this is a guy who has never been in a bad fight in his whole career; this is a warrior who comes to fight."

Pacquiao, who remained respectful and cheerful throughout the press conference, seemed almost more focused than the attending press on Solis. When asked if it was a distraction, having so much on his mind, Pacquiao commented that "it doesn't bother me, I am already training, I started training in the Philippines." When the question of if Pacquiao was looking more towards Barrera or Marquez in his next fight Pacquiao responded "either of those guys, I don't care."

The undercard of "Blaze of Glory" features an interesting fight between former WBC Mini Flyweight champion Brian Viloria (19-1-1, 12 KO's) against Edgar Sosa (26-5, 14 KO's) for the vacant title. For Viloria, few can deny that this is the most important fight of his career. It is rare for a fighter to get three straight title fights, and Viloria recognizes that, in that sense, he is very fortunate. Also, for the Pilipino-American fighter from Waipahu, Hawaii (who spent much of his first five years living with his grandparents in the Philippines), April 14 is not only a opportunity to fight on the undercard of one of the most important PPV's in the world, but also a very important opportunity to make a statement to the Pilipino boxing fans who will undoubtedly be watching the card keenly thanks to Pacquiao. Despite a recent change in trainers from Freddie Roach to Joe Goossen, Viloria promised a career defining fight. "The training's been excellent, my defense has been getting a lot better. It's just been great working with Joe."

Viloria also added that "although I was sad to leave the Wild Card Gym…it was a hard move but it was right move for my career. With my right now I have to take a look at what is right for me and having a trainer work 24//7 is at this point in my career and especially for this kind of fight, is what I need."

Viloria promised not just to win, but to look "spectacular". Although he refused to make a prediction, he did indicate that his newer style would likely produce a stoppage, admitting that he didn't want to let it "go to the scorecards like it did for the last fight."

Viloria, who also hosted an open workout for the press earlier in the morning, seemed genuinely excited about the changes in his style under Goossen. He commented that the most important thing Goossen taught him was "To not back down," adding that "I think in the last couple fights I lulled back a little bit a relaxed a little bit. For me I just need to be a lot more aggressive and wear down my opponent for the later rounds." Viloria then added that fans would be pleasantly surprised at his "ability to combine the defense and offence all together."

Rounding off the press conference was Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (30-0-1, 23 KO's). Chavez admitted that he was ready to step it up, and that he was promised that this year would be a "breakout" year for him. "You know, it is not up to me, they could put up the best or the worst fighter in front of me and then I have to prove myself to them. If I win the fight then I know that I was ready for it. I am not going to say that I am elite fighter, all I am going to say that whoever they put in front of me to fight, that is who I am going to fight."

Although his scheduled opponent, Anthony Shuler (20-4-1, 14 KO's) was not in attendance, few questioned that he was a step up for Chavez, particularly in weight. Shuler, who has fought as high as 170 pounds in the past, is undoubtedly the biggest opponent in terms of size that Chavez has ever fought, something that didn't seem to bother Chavez. "I don't think that's an advantage for him, when we get into the ring we'll see who is the stronger guy."