It?s very hard finding people in this world who are truly loyal, especially in the twisted world of boxing. Very few industries are as cutthroat in its ways as the sweet science, as fighters are praised for their victories yet swept under the rug and practically forgotten for just one bad night at the office.
It goes without saying that Manny Pacquiao?s ride in the sport is one that has garnered him worldwide attention and respect, but also his share of newfound friends along the way. Any star athlete in the sport is going to be sought after but Pacquiao is a special case because of the immense popularity he has generated back in his native Philippines. He is more than just a star, he is an icon.
One man who has shown himself to be true to Pacquiao well before the spotlight hit him is his lifelong friend Restituto Fernandez, better known as Buboy. Often seen working Pacquiao?s corner as an assistant the burly and subdued Fernandez has an undying loyalty to the reigning WBO welterweight champion that dates back over twenty years ago. On this particular day Fernandez could be found inside the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles overseeing the duties of Bernabe Concepcion as he prepared for his July 10th clash with Juan Manuel Lopez, but the topic at hand was his relationship with Manny.
?Nine years old,? Fernandez said when asked how old he was when he first met Manny. ?I was born in General Santos City, Philippines. He was a very close friend, my best friend. He was a very shy kid. I remember his good attitude towards people. He doesn?t step on other people to get to his goals.?
Pacquiao?s story in the sport digs much deeper than his 51-3-2 record with 38 knockouts. Over the past few years his rise in weight against world class competition has captured the public?s imagination in a very rare way. When reflecting on the success that has come his friend?s way Fernandez is both grateful and leery at the same time.
?I?m still very happy,? Fernandez stated. ?I saw that dream that he achieved. I always told him to be careful. I know that he is a very good guy. A 500% good guy but to be careful about the people around him. For me, it?s too hard to find a real friend in that situation where you are really popular. People will always try to get close to you if you are very successful.?
Pacquiao?s rollercoaster ride kicked up a notch in the fall of 2008 when it was announced that he would be facing off with fellow superstar Oscar De La Hoya. While some questioned his motives, Pacquiao shocked the masses by scoring a dominating 8th round stoppage inside of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Looking back on that time Buboy reveals his true feelings.
?From the time that he told me that he wanted to fight Oscar De La Hoya in the Philippines, he said ?What do you think?? and I said ?Of course??, Fernandez recalled. ?Why not? I knew he was going to win. I?m very happy that fight because I will never forget that moment. I could never forget that he beat that guy. Everything that he went through in training he went through in the ring.?
Half a year later Pacquiao would find himself going up against once-beaten Ricky Hatton, a hero in his own right in the United Kingdom. While Hatton was looked at as a stiff test because of his brawling style and physical strength he was outclassed and dusted within the first couple of rounds. Speaking on the fight Fernandez concedes that while the preparation was intense, he didn?t expect such a brilliant display.
?I remember the time training for the Ricky Hatton fight,? Fernandez said. ?He worked hard and we were surprised because I never would have imagined that he would have knocked him out in the second round. All that made me very happy.?
Pacquiao next locked horns with the very formidable Miguel Cotto in an attempt to snatch the Caguas, Puerto Rico fighter?s WBO welterweight belt away from him. While Pacquiao will be remembered for scoring an impressive 12th round stoppage it should be noted that Cotto put up a valiant fight for the first five rounds. Fernandez insists that the early round action was fierce enough to get him slightly nervous.
?Yes a little bit,? he said. ?When I saw them getting started. Of course the early rounds were intense because he went to the ropes and that wasn?t the game plan. Freddie told him to not stay to the ropes. After that I knew we would be alright.?
Pacquiao?s last performance wasn?t as scintillating as he decisioned Joshua Clottey over twelve one-sided rounds at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium this past March. Fernandez insists that he knew the fight was over from the early rounds when Clottey refused to punch and therefore the suspense wasn?t nearly as high. While the emotions on that night may not have been pitched, Fernandez can still be seen weeping at the sight of his friend?s accomplishments in fights prior.
?Of course I?m happy that he wins but I cry,? Buboy said. ?Every time that he has a fight and whenever he wins of course I cry because I am thinking that it couldn?t have happened to my friend like this.?
For as much as the two men have experienced together, Fernandez will likely tell you that there would be a feeling of unfulfillment if Pacquiao were to never fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. The two sides are in negotiations for a potential November 13th bout and depending on who you listen to the contest is either nearly a done deal or not making any headway in the slightest. Fernandez can?t elaborate too much on the situation, only noting ?It all depends on the promoters?.
The Mayweathers are a rare breed of people and Floyd?s father Floyd Sr. and his uncle Roger have especially been venomous with their tongues over the years. The two men?s insistence that Pacquiao has been taking PEDs has caused a media wildfire while also making them the villains in the eyes of Pacquiao?s supporters. Fernandez admits that their accusations have dug deep within his heart.
?Of course it?s hard for me because I know him and when we grew up together I knew him,? Buboy said emphatically. ?He never took that. I don?t know why the Mayweathers are accusing him of that. They could be [jealous].?
I have never claimed to know Manny Pacquiao the person and as a journalist my job has always been to work with the information presented to me while interacting with those closely connected to the source in order to make a worthwhile story. With that in mind I asked Fernandez simply for his thoughts on Pacquiao?s popularity back home and whether or not he has changed over time.
?It?s crazy in the Philippines. He?s like a president over there, bigger than that. But he?s never changed who is Manny Pacquiao before and Manny Pacquiao is now. He never changed.?
It is truly hard to find a good friend these days and Buboy Fernandez has been just that to Manny Pacquiao. Click on the collage below for a picture by picture look at Fernandez in recent years?
Also inside the Wild Card gym, Bernabe Concepcion could be found training diligently for his July 10th clash with Juan Manuel Lopez. Concepcion is very focused and looks to be physically strong heading into the bout. Click on the collage below for exclusive images of Concepcion training?
