Filipino Bobby Pacquiao, a southpaw like his elder world champion Manny Pacquiao, dropped former world champion Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez in round two and used a late surge to take a close 10-round split decision in their non-title bout at the Thomas & Mack Arena in las Vegas Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
Judge Robert Hoyle saw it 97-92 for Hernandez, while two other judges —Chuck Giampa and Duan Ford — had it 95-94 ad 95-93, respectively, for Pacquiao.
The decision was Hernandez’s second consecutive split decision loss.
The win improved Pacquiao’s record to 26-11, 3 with 11 knockouts while the loss dropped Hernandez to 41-6-1 with 24 KOs.
The fight was the opening card of the main bout featuring Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales. (Story on A-30).
Pacquiao, who weighed in at 130 lbs., caught Hernandez with a good left in the second, knocking him down, for only the second time in his career, but missed a knockout opportunity as the Los Angeles-based Hernandez, who fought at 132 lb got up.
