Fahsan 3-K Battery has a secret strategy that he will unravel to surprise consensus world featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao in their scheduled 12-round International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator in an open-air field at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, this Saturday.
Both Fahsan and his manager Ekarat (Jimmy) Chaichotchueng are tight-lipped about the plan which, they guarantee, will pull the rug from under Pacquiao. All they?re saying is whatever the odds, Pacquiao isn?t sure to win.
No doubt, Fahsan is a dangerous opponent. Pacquiao must dispose of the Thai contender to keep his Feb. 26 appointment with IBF and World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.
New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad envisions at least a P200 Million windfall for Pacquiao next year as he?s lined up Marquez, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera in a series of HBO fights that will make the General Santos City southpaw the wealthiest Filipino athlete ever.
But before the cash register starts ringing, there?s Fahsan to take care of.
Fahsan is guaranteed $25,000 for the fight against Pacquiao. If he defies the odds, the Thai stands to earn a fortune in his next bout so he?s expected to let it all hang out in his chance of a lifetime.
Fahsan, 30, has the credentials to make life difficult for Pacquiao. First, he?s a southpaw, meaning Pacquiao has no advantage being a lefthander, too. Second, he?s a tough nut to crack?the fact that Fahsan has never been knocked out is proof of his durability. Third, he claims to be immune to Filipinos. Fahsan has never lost to a Filipino and his list of victims includes at least 20. Fourth, he is more experienced than Pacquiao. Fahsan turned pro three years before Pacquiao and has logged 10 more fights, not counting his experience as a Muay Thai kickboxer. And finally, he has the edge in the element of surprise. There is little known about Fahsan unlike Pacquiao whose fights have been shown all over the world on TV.
Whatever is Fahsan?s secret, he will not reveal it until the bell rings on Saturday.
Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach, who flew in from Los Angeles two weeks ago, isn?t taking Fahsan lightly.
“This guy is getting an opportunity of a lifetime,” says Roach. “He?s fighting the best featherweight in the world. He?ll give 100 percent in this fight. He wants to be on a pedestal like Manny. If he beats Manny, it?ll be an unbelievable future for him. Fahsan will bring his A-game into the ring. But he?ll be fighting over his head. We want to get this guy out of the way so we can think of the other fights coming up.”
Roach expects the Thai to keep away from Pacquiao in the early going because the Filipino is supposed to be deadliest in the first few rounds. But Roach says Pacquiao is ready for the tactic.
“Fahsan has no tendency to run,” explains Roach. “When fighters start exchanging punches, they get back to what they?re used to. Fahsan is no exception. Once Manny moves in, it?ll be a war and Fahsan won?t survive Manny?s speed and power.”
Roach says Pacquiao has his own surprise for Fahsan?a killer right. While Pacquiao is known for his lethal left, he has been working on his right to become more unpredictable in the ring. Roach confides that the plan is to put Fahsan to sleep with a right hook or cross.
Muhammad predicts Pacquiao will win “in style” but he?s not counting his chickens before they?re hatched. He says Pacquiao must stay in focus to beat Fahsan convincingly.
Last May, Fahsan faced Art Simonyan of Armenia in a 12-round IBF title eliminator in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. It was his first fight outside of Thailand.
Chaichotcheung claims Fahsan had not enough time to prepare for Simonyan and experienced difficulty in adjusting to US conditions. Simonyan carved out a unanimous decision.
What was evident in the fight was Simonyan used his jab to dominate Fahsan who never got his offense untracked. Simonyan was conscious of Fahsan?s ability to slug so he kept the Thai safely stuck on the outside. Pacquiao won?t fight Fahsan like Simonyan because he?d rather mix it up toe-to-toe.
Boxing News writer Jim Brady, reporting on the Fahsan-Simonyan bout, said the Thai fought from a “tight southpaw stance (with) chin tucked.” He described Fahsan as “a veteran of Muay Thai fighting (who is) used to getting whacked with bamboo poles and training on ground glass.”
With 40 seconds to go in the ninth round, Fahsan landed a left cross to Simonyan?s body then unleashed a “wicked” left counter that shook up the Armenian. The attack, however, wasn?t enough to turn the tide.
Chaichotcheung says Fahsan is a fighter, not a boxer, and that?s why he has problems facing stylists like Simonyan. That won?t be a problem against Pacquiao because the Filipino shows up to slug not to run in a fight.
Fahsan is ranked No. 6 featherweight by the IBF and Pacquiao, No. 3. The winner faces Marquez in February.
Muhammad says IBF No. 1 contender Rocky Juarez may be squeezed in Pacquiao?s calendar if Barrera delays their rematch until late next year. After Marquez, Pacquiao hopes to fight Morales in July. If Barrera plays hard to get, Pacquiao could meet Juarez in September before taking on the Baby-Faced Assassin in November or December. Barrera appears to be avoiding Pacquiao but Muhammad says the rematch is inevitable because HBO and the fans demand it.
Fahsan, Chaichotcheung and knockout artist Chaiyong Distar arrive here today from Bangkok. Chaiyong, who has registered 11 knockouts in 12 wins, will meet Cebu sensation Z Gorres in Saturday?s undercard.
