CARLOS HERNANDEZ vowed to “chop down Bobby Pacquiao like a tree” when they collide on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) underneath the world lightweight title rematch between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Nicknamed “Famoso”, Hernandez nevertheless said he respects Pacquiao, younger brother of boxing star Manny, as he revs up for what appears to be a crossroads bout.
“I know I have to respect every fight I get in the ring with. Pacquiao has the WBC Intercontinental belt, and he stopped Carlos Navarro last June, so I know I have to respect the guy. I know I have to be careful because he has the motivation not to be in his brother’s shadow. I know he wants to make a name for himself and beat me,” Hernandez told the website boxingtalk.net.
Hernandez continued: “I expect Pacquiao to come out fast throwing a lot of punches, a lot of straight shots, and then getting out of there, but I don’t think he wants to stay too close to me.”
Best known for going 12 rounds with Erik Morales, Hernandez believes Pacquiao, who will be fighting for only the third time on US soil, “is going to be in excellent shape, strong and sharp.”
“Whatever he (Pacquiao) brings, I will be ready,” added Hernandez, who at 34, remains one of the game’s most durable and fearsome fighter.
Born and raised in wartorn El Salvador, Hernandez has only fought one Filipino and it came several years ago when he mauled Isagani Pumar in ten rounds in Los Angeles.
Bobby’s distinguished brother Manny is coming over to cheer for him on fight night. Manny is scheduled to fly to the US tomorrow night accompanied by Cebu boxing impresario Wakee Salud.
The younger Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach think they have a good chance of pulling off a big upset win.
Bobby said that he has trained well under the watchful eye of Roach.
“He’s gonna win and he’s gonna beat this guy,” said Roach
“Handa na ako at talagang pinagbutihan ko ang ensayo,” said Pacquiao, who has sparred 120 rounds and has been training for one and a half months now. “Sana, ipagdasal din ako ng ating mga kababayan dahil gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo.”
“The jab’s the key,” said Roach, who will plane in to Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Pacquiao’s fight will be shown on pay-per-view, being one of the undercards in the rematch of the Castillo-Corrales saga, a fight that has been touted as the Fight of the Year and even of Fight of the Decade.
