An extra-ordinary training for an extra-ordinary opponent.

Mexican Jorge "Coloradito" Solis is trying a formula similar to the one used by Erik Morales as he prepares for his April 14 showdown with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Undefeated, but a relative unknown to the big-fight circle, Solis yesterday said he has committed to training in the high altitude for the first time in his career, just like Morales, who trained in the Otomi Mountains.

"This fight is very special, very important and we felt we need to get stronger and be in superb condition to win it," Solis, who has a record of 32 wins and 2 draws highlighted by 23 KOs, told fightnews.com.

Pacquiao (43-3-2 record with 33 KOs) is the heavy favorite to win the battle in the main event of "Blaze of Glory" a pay-per-view extravaganza promoted by Top Rank Inc, which is in the middle of a legal battle against Golden Boy Promotions for the promotional rights for the Filipino hero.

GBP has reportedly sought a court injunction to stop the Pacquiao-Solis tiff and the verdict will be out in a week.

The undercard will also pit Fil-American Brian Viloria against Edgar Sosa for the vacant WBC mini flyweight belt.

Reports have also surfaced that Pacquiao, who left for the US Saturday, is "cramming" in preparation for the fight against Solis, although this was quashed by his trainers at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, who said that the Filipino champ is looking sharp, three weeks before the fight.

Pacquiao is set to spar with former WBC interim lightweight champion, Jose Armando Sta. Cruz, who is the exact same height as Solis, though Sta. Cruz likes to brawl and Solis has been reported as a counter-puncher, www.ringtalk.com said.

The other boxer tapped to work with Pacquiao are Jorge Linares, undefeated at 23-0 (14 KOs) and belongs to the stable of fighters that also includes Edwin Valero, one of Pacquiao's possible opponents in the future.

David Rodela is expected to also spar with the Filipino superstar, who has earned a reputation for scaring away sparring partners after sometimes just one session.

Solis, however, is undaunted.

"I know people are saying Pacquiao is in for an easy fight, but I'm undefeated and I will be prepared to deliver the best performance of my career so I can get the biggest win of my career," the fighter from Guadalajara added.

"I never really stop training. I keep in good shape in between fights, but for this fight I have being training with high intensity for four weeks now with the last weeks here in the mountains," Solis said. He also has a strength and conditioning coach for this fight, the highly regarded Raul Robles, who has also worked with Morales.

Solis, nevertheless, acknowledge the tall order he is facing against Pacquiao.

"I don't expect an easy fight against Pacquiao. He is very strong and fights at a very fast pace. That's why we have been working on my strength and conditioning so much for this fight, we want to be strong for the whole 12 rounds," Solis said.

Asked to react on Pacquiao's mastery of Mexican boxers, Solis said: "I know everyone thinks that all Mexicans fight alike, but we don't. We all have different styles and personalities and all of that shows in the way we fight in the ring."

"I know my boxing skills are going to be the key to my victory. I don't expected this to be easy but this is my opportunity to break into the big time. I am very motivated to make a splash and shock the world," Solis added. *CPT

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