Philippines, 27 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:

  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • 2 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Doors open for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 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.