| |
|
Bobby Pacquiao: It will be a different fight!
By Ed de la Vega, DDS PhilBoxing.com Thu, 17 May 2007

If Humberto Soto is looking past Bobby Pacquiao on their meeting at the Madison Square Garden in New York on June 9, 2007, he better think twice.
Pundits have it that Bob Arum matched the veteran Soto against Bobby Pacquiao as a precursor to a more interesting fight against Bobby’s brother, Manny sometime in the future.
But, judging from what I saw today at the Wildcard Gym, that may not happen at all. Bobby may well surprise everyone, particularly those who think that he does not have a prayer against Soto.
I have seen many of Bobby’s training sessions at the Wildcard Gym for his prior fights in the past. Nothing compares to what I saw today. Although I do not claim that I am an expert in assessing boxers, I know enough to know that this time Bobby is a different fighter!
Bobby sparred 8 full rounds against a taller and bigger opponent, David “Danger” Peligroso at the Wildcard today under the eagle eyes of good ole’ Freddie Roach. During the whole 8 rounds, I did not observe Bobby throw a single “low blow”. His jabs were crisper and his left hook strong as ever. Most importantly, the flaw he had with his right straight appeared to have been corrected and he used it extensively and effectively during the whole 8 rounds of sparring.



BobPac in sparring at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.
Top photo: BobPac (L) has been given instruction by Freddie Roach (C) as Michael Koncz (R) listens. All photos by Dr. Ed de la Vega.
And, there are still three weeks and three days before the big fight in New York!
I just hate to see what is in store for Soto when Roach finishes the training regimen and adopt the game plan for Bobby.
Stay tuned, the fight may well overshadow the Cotto-Judah main event.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight , Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ , Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA , Sat, 28 Feb 2026Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000 By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO? By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026“It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Wed, 25 Feb 2026‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Date set for Manny-Money 2 By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt , Wed, 25 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|