THEY are the closest of siblings. But it’s hard to mistake Bobby Pacquiao for the younger brod of the fabulous Manny Pacquiao.
They don’t share distinct features.
They also own very different fighting styles.
Manny, the elder, is a screaming, big-hearted slasher.
Bobby, the dusky younger brother, could, at best, be called a contemplative slugger.
In short, they own contrasting reputations.
Manny is a feared warrior, while Bobby was often a welcome opponent to young and old aspirants in the beak-breaking business.
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In case you haven’t heard, Bobby Pacquiao will be featured in a major card in Las Vegas on Sunday.
It’s no ordinary ring outing.
Bobby, the younger, will be stepping before the world underneath the much-awaited Pico Corrales-Jose Castillo rematch.
The spotlight will be on Bobby, who will carry the famous trademark of his brother as he tries to affirm the newfound reputation of Pinoy boxers on the heels of the sensational 3-for-3 Philippine knockout parade spearheaded by Manny at the Staples Center in LA on Sept. 11.
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It’s like this. If it’s hotshot Manny, the sensational KO artist, who’s next fighting in a major card in Las Vegas, there would’ve been great excitement in local boxing circles, mainly in the slum areas where Pacman has come to be revered and worshipped.
But it’s Bobby who will fight to stake the newfound worth of Filipino boxers in the boxing world.
It can’t be helped. The big bout involving the younger of the Pacquiao brothers has been received with great concern hereabouts.
It’s no ordinary Latino Bobby will be facing in Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez, former IBF super-featherweight king who’s on a comeback trail.
In fact, there were suspicious whispers on why Bobby was being put up against a formidable foe.
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Is Bobby Pacquiao being fed to the lions?
The sudsy pairing may indeed appear criminal, mainly to those who have full knowledge of the credentials of both Bobby and Famoso.
Bobby, says an informant from the heart of boxing hotbed Cebu, has a stomach soft as marshmallow.
And Famoso? He has a heart as big as El Salvador.
Added another pundit: Bobby has two chances against Famoso Hernandez of the Dominican Republic — slim and none.
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But do take heart. The situation may not be as hopeless as the fight charts reveal.
Bobby Pacquiao, for one, is coming in from a sensational stoppage of the highly rated Carlos Navarro, erstwhile conqueror of RP’s Luisito Espinosa, former world bantamweight and featherweight boxing champion.
Bobby is picking the biggest purse in his up-down-up-again career, $90,000.
Still, the biggest thing going for Bobby is the presence in his corner on Sunday of elder brod Manny.
It could be that Manny had infected his younger brother with his sharpness and ferocity when Bobby stopped his highly favored foe in his last outing.
But more than power and skills, Bobby will have to wrap steel pads around his belly to ward off the bombs Famoso is expected to unload.
In short, Bobby will have to surpass himself. Pray that Manny’s glowing presence works the magic.
