Philippines, 13 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Roach: Bobby Pacquiao Will Beat “Famoso”


PhilBoxing.com


LOS ANGELES—Despite being a heavy underdog to beat former world champion Carlos “El Famoso” Hernandez, Bobby Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach think they have a good chance of pulling off a mega-upset on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) when all of the boxing world will be watching.

Being in the undercard of the biggest rematch of the year—the Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo II—Pacquiao leaves for Las Vegas today in preparation for probably the biggest fight of his life, a make-or-break bout with Hernandez, who is also looking to get back on the winning track.

Bobby, the younger brother of Filipino pound-for-pound great Manny, said that he has worked hard in the gym, trained well under the watchful eye of Roach, has studied “Famoso’s” style on tape and has devised a fight plan that will prove wrong predictions of so-called boxing experts and oddsmakers.

Pacquiao, who on paper holds a not-so-convincing 25 wins, 11 losses and three draws (11 KOs) record, is coming off a sensational victory over the highly touted Carlos Navarro in June. He is currently a 7-1 underdog against the granite-chinned Hernandez, a boxer who has not been knocked out in a stellar 13-year pro career.

Hernandez used to train at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, the same gym where the Pacquiaos have been honing up their skills for some time now. The 34-year-old Hernandez, who lost in his last fight against Jesus Chavez by a split decision last May, also needs to win big in order to resuscitate a career that had its highs when he was the International Boxing Federation super-featherweight champion.

Hernandez’s other notable losses were dealt by superstars Erik Morales, Floyd Mayweather and Genaro Hernandez. He has a 41-5-1 win-loss-draw record (24 KOs).

“He’s gonna win and he’s gonna beat this guy,” said Roach, the same man who was instrumental in the making of Manny Pacquiao.

Bobby Pacquiao is ranked 23rd among the world’s top super-featherweights and a win against Hernandez will finally set him apart from the more illustrious career and shadow of his brother Manny, the “Pacman,” who will also be at ringside to cheer on his brother.
“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. Manny Pacquiao arrives on Thursday together with his wife Jinkee and friend Rex “Wakee” Salud.

Hernandez has beaten a Filipino southpaw in the past, journeyman Isagani Pumar. One thing that will work against “Famoso” is the familiarity of Roach and Wild Card trainer Eric Brown, who once coached Hernandez. “He can be beaten,” they said.

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.

The cavernous Thomas and Mack Center will play host to the mega-event, which will also see the rematch of Hussein Hussein and Jorge Arce. The son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez, Julio Jr. (22-0, 17 KOs), will also see action against Grover Wiley. Wiley beat Julio Sr. last September 17.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Winchell Campos.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 19-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
    , Sun, 08 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.