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Monday, October 10, 2005
Pacquiao brod escapes with win v. Hernandez
By Glenn C. Michelena
Sun.Star Correspondent
AFTER years of toiling under the shadow of his more illustrious older brother, Bobby Pacquiao finally got his chance on the big stage, and made sure the opportunity didn’t go to waste.
Displaying impressive technical skill at the onset and tremendous heart in the windup, Pacquiao scored a dramatic split-decision win over former world champion Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez in a non-title super-featherweight (130-pound) bout at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas yesterday.
Pacquiao boxed magnificently in the first round, sent his foe to the canvas in the second, got in trouble in the middle rounds, and came back strong late in the 10-round match to earn the nod of judges Duane Ford (95-93) and Chuck Giampa (95-94).
Sellout
The third judge, Robert Hoyle, had the El Salvadorian brawler on top, 97-92, after giving Pacquiao the first two rounds.
Before a sellout crowd that came to see the rematch between WBA/WBO lightweight champion Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo (see separate story), Pacquiao displayed tremendous mettle in turning back the surge of Hernandez, whose murderous body-punching attack began to turn the tide in the middle rounds.
“Nagpapasalamat ako unang-una sa Diyos at inaalay ko ang panalong ito sa aking pamilya, sa aking mga kapwa Pilipino, sa mga kaibigang tumulong sa akin at sa aking coach (Freddie Roach),” a watery-eyed Pacquiao (26-11-3, 11 KOs) told Philboxing.com after his victory, which should be the sweetest of his career. (I thank God, and offer this win to my family, fellow Filipinos, friends who helped me and coach.)
Happy brother
“I didn’t mind the pain. I had to win this for my future and my countrymen,” he said in Filipino.
The win will put Bobby on the world boxing map, and nobody is happier than his older brother Manny, who is already a major player in the world boxing circuit and hands-down the most popular Filipino athlete today.
“This is the biggest break we’ve waited for,” said Manny, who also acts as manager of his brother and is largely credited for Bobby’s rise.
When Pacquiao was declared winner, the predominantly Latino crowd were shocked to see the win escape Hernandez, who had a knack for starting slow and finishing strong. Whatever the case, it was a career-changing win for Pacquaio.
“Bobby is still a young man who can change and improve a lot,” said revered trainer Freddie Roach, who acted as Bobby’s cornerman in the fight. “I will not be surprised if he becomes as famous as his brother Manny in the future.”
(October 10, 2005 issue)
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