Barrera told boxingtalk.net that Larios "will do very well" against Pacquiao on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum. Pacquiao’s World Boxing Council International super-featherweight titlebelt will be at stake.

"We (at GBP) have a lot of confidence in Oscar (Larios)," said Barrera. "He’s (Larios) a great Mexican fighter."

To show his support to Larios, who Barrera considers a "great friend," he confirmed earlier reports that he is planning to go to the Philippines and cheer for his fellow Mexican banger.

Barrera also took the opportunity to express his desire to rumble with Pacquiao in a rematch, a fact that has been on his mind for some time following the 11th round stoppage the Filipino lefty dealt to him in Nov. 2003 in Texas.

Owing to "conflicting schedules", Barrera said the much-awaited second meeting has failed to take place although that would be his priority should he hurdle Rocky Juarez, a livewire opponent, on May 20 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

While Top Rank Inc. the promotional outfit of Erik Morales has announced that the rubber match between Pacquiao and Morales will take place in late-October or early-November, both camps haven’t agreed yet on the weight limit.

Pacquiao insists he will only grant Morales a third fight if the bout will be at 130 lbs., "not at 132 lbs, 131 or even 130.5 lbs."

Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s associate Wakee Salud revealed that Larios is set to arrive either on April 27 or April 28 and will probably be billeted at theDiscovery Suites in Ortigas Center in Pasig.

Larios’ visit will last for three to four days and the highlight of his whirlwind trip is a press conference that will be staged by TV giant ABS-CBN, an event that will enable the two boxers to size each other up.

"Larios’ arrival is going to be huge," said Salud. "For a change, we won’t be bringing in a fighter from Thailand or from any other Asian country. We are importing somebody from one of the world’s top producers of boxing legends."

Making up the undercard of the Pacquiao-Larios headliner are fights featuring bantamweight prospect Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista, ex-world champ Gerry Penalosa and the heavy-handed pair of Randy Suico and Jimrex Jaca.

Hector Velazquez, the rugged Mexican foe who was stopped by Pacquiao last year in Los Angeles, is being eyed to battle either Suico or Jaca, according to Salud.