A REPRESENTATIVE of undefeated Swedish boxer Shadi Hamsho has belied reports coming out of Los Angeles that his ward was knocked down during a sparring session with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao in Hollywood’s Wild Card Gym recently.
“The article is not true. I was on hand and witnessed the sparring session,” said Reidar Reidar, adding that the confirmation made by Filipino boxers Bobby Pacquiao and Gerry Pe?alosa of the supposed knockdown was “a terrible lie.”
“I talked to both fighters and neither said they made such a claim,” Reidar said.
Dr. Ed De la Vega, who first penned the story in the website Philboxing.com, which was carried by the Inquirer, could not be reached for comment at press time.
De la Vega had reported that it was the trio of Bobby Pacquiao, Gerry Pe?alosa and Ernel Fontanilla who informed him of the knockdown. He said he was not around to take photos.
A call to Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s LA-based associate, was not returned.
Pacquiao’s close Filipino associate Rex “Wakee” Salud said the GenSan fighter had not mentioned a knockdown he supposedly scored against Hamsho at the Wild Card gym.
Salud added that neither Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez also made mention of a knockdown, although the Filipino boxing manager said he also did not ask if there was a knockdown, and hence did not expect Pacquiao to talk about it.
Pacquiao knocking down his sparmates in preparation for a big bout is a regular occurrence.
The former two-time world champion is training for his third fight against Mexico’s Erik Morales on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas.
