WONDER how Filipino boxer Bobby Pacquiao was able to defy huge odds in winning four of his five outings in the United States?
Many will probably say it’s the inspiration he gets from his illustrious brother, RP boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao.
But for the 26-year-old Bobby, it’s all about stepping out of his brother’s shadow and establishing a name he and his own family can be proud of.
“Gusto kong gumawa din naman ng sarili kong pangalan. S’yempre ipinagmamalaki namin ang karangalan na naibigay ni Manny [I also want to establish a name of my own. Of course, we are proud of the honor Manny brought us],” said the younger Pacquiao in an overseas telephone interview with BusinessMirror yesterday.
Bobby is scheduled to meet Mexican Humberto Soto in a nontitle fight this Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
A former World Boxing Council Continental Americas super-featherweight champion, Bobby remains unperturbed about the threat posed by his Mexican foe.
Bobby is also unruffled about all the negative criticisms he’s been taking since he started his boxing career.
For almost all his bouts in the US, nearly all of the self-styled boxing experts never gave Bobby even the slimmest chance to succeed.
But the budding prizefighter is already being taken seriously by many other critics, though some still have reservations about Bobby’s chances against Soto, said to be the next big thing from Mexico in this division.
Bobby is expected to use whatever he learned from all his five outings in the United States, especially his two colossal wins over former world champions Kevin Kelley (fourth-round knockout) and Carlos “El Famoso” Hernandez (split decision, 10 rounds).
Bobby’s two other victims were Oscar Villa, whom he decisioned in his US debut in late 2004, and a seventh-round KO win over Carlos Navarro, conqueror of Filipino two-division world champion Luisito Espinosa.
In his last bout late last year, when he lost to his older brother’s Mexican victim Hector Velasquez, Bobby said almost all the attention went to Manny, who was then preparing for his third meeting with Mexican legend Erik Morales.
Bobby, who lost his regional crown for failing to make the weight the night before, was disqualified in the 11th round for repeated low blows in their bout that happened two days before the Pacquiao-Morales fight in Las Vegas.
“Hindi na ngayon mangyayari ‘yun. Talagang pinaghandaan namin itong laban [It won’t happen this time. I really prepared for this fight],” added Pacquiao.
The 27-year-old Soto is a former WBC interim featherweight title holder but decided to forego his chance of fighting for the regular WBC title by moving up in weight.
Soto’s promoter, Bob Arum, is lining up the Mexican fighter for a possible mega-bout against Manny sometime this year, should he get past the Filipino sensation’s younger brother this weekend.
“Dadaan muna siya sa akin. Pero ang pagkakamali lang niya, hindi na siya sa akin makalalampas [He will have to pass through me. But it would be his mistake because he will never get through],” said a confident Pacquiao.
The Tijuana-bred Soto holds a decision victory over former Olympian Rocky Juarez in their 12-round WBC interim featherweight title fight last August 2005.
Soto, a longtime chief sparmate of Morales, also fought Pacquiao’s recent victim, Jorge Solis, in late 2004.
Soto was dominating Solis in the first two rounds but a severe cut on Solis’ eye caused by a headbutt resulted in a no contest.
A veteran of 49 fights, Soto has tallied 41 wins (25 knockouts) with five losses and two draws.
Bobby Pacquiao carries a 27-12-3 record with 12 knockouts.
