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Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Bobby: This Pacquiao wants to shine, too
By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
JUST a mention of the name Pacquiao and Manny immediately comes to everyone's mind. His name rings a bell, for this boxer from General Santos City has taken the world of boxing by storm with his terrific speed and dreadful punching power.
But, there's another boxer named Pacquiao and he is fighting on June 10, not on July 2. The fight is scheduled in New York, and not in Manila.
Bobby Pacquiao will try to step out of the shadow of his more illustrious brother when he faces former world champion Kevin Kelley a super featherweight\ clash.
The Pacquiao-Kelley clash is in the undercard of the Miguel Cotto-Paul Malignaggi showdown for the WBO light welterweight title.
Pacquiao and his entourage that included his wife Lorelie, assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez and co-manager Michael Koncz was scheduled to depart from Los Angeles last night en route to New York via Delta Airlines.
Upon arrival at the John F. Kennedy Airport Pacquiao and his group will head to Affinia Hotel on board a Stretch Limo to be provided by Top Rank, to which Bobby recently had inked a nine-fight promotional deal.
The following day, June 6, Pacquiao and Kelley will hold a media workout at the Kingsway Gym located at the corner of 28th Street and 5th Avenue. On June 7, the two protagonists meet again for the scheduled press conference in the Theater Lobby at the Madison Square Garden.
Koncz said Bobby has logged 112 rounds of sparring at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood under the watchful eyes of chief trainer Freddie Roach, also the trainer of Manny, in preparing for the Kelley bout.
Bobby sparred with WBC super bantamweight champ Israel Vasquez, Robert "The Gohst" Gurerrero and Shadi Hamsho.
Koncz said the fight with Kelley is significant for Bobby, and that there's no other way but for his fighter to pull a victory to erase whatever doubts generated from that controversial win over Carlos Hernandez last year.
"Kevin Kelley, despite his age, is a very dangerous opponent and cannot be taken lightly as he's a former two-time world champion who has tremendous power," Koncz said.
"Bobby and I have had numerous conversations regarding the importance of a good showing against Kelly as this would diminish the controversial win in his last fight against Hernandez and, perhaps, he will no-longer be labeled as Manny's little brother," Koncz added.
Manny Pacquiao, who co-manages Bobby, will also have his own forthcoming ring battle -- against Oscar Larios on July 2 in Manila.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (June 7, 2006 issue)
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