There?s no doubt in Restituto (Buboy) Fernandez? mind that two-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao will beat Erik Morales in their much-awaited 12-round showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on March 19 (Sunday morning, Manila).
Nobody knows Pacquiao more intimately than Fernandez. They?ve been in Los Angeles since leaving home last Jan. 8. It?s their eighth US trip together.
Fernandez, 30, takes care of Pacquiao when he?s training for a fight. He prepares his three glasses of steaming Nido milk, the fresh orange slices on a plate and his bird?s nest soup. He makes sure his sweaty shirts aren?t wringed and washed clean. He times his daily runs and workouts in the gym. He assists in his training. He keeps him company, singing, playing card games, strumming the guitar, studying fight tapes, watching TV, going to Sunday Mass and just joking around. He brushes Pacquiao?s hair before the fighter goes to sleep. He wakes him up in the morning and tucks him in at night.
In a recent interview, Fernandez said Morales is tailor-fit for Pacquiao because the Mexican fights straight up and doesn?t retreat when he?s hurt. He revealed that Pacquiao?s strategy is to attack early since Morales is known to be a slow starter. Fernandez added that Pacquiao will vary his punches and concentrate on softening Morales? body. The right will be as lethal a weapon as the left, he noted.
Fernandez and Pacquiao wore out at least three of Morales? fights on tape, carefully studying his tendencies, weaknesses and strengths. Fernandez said he remembers watching Morales on TV when he was still a superbantamweight, long before he became a trainer.
One of four children, Fernandez was Pacquiao?s neighbor in General Santos City where they were both born. But it wasn?t until Fernandez was 15 that they became close friends.
Pacquiao introduced Fernandez to boxing and encouraged him to learn the finer points of training.
“Pumunta ako sa Maynila noong 1996,” recounted Fernandez who finished up to third year of high school. “Sinundan ko si Manny sa L&M gym. Nag-janitor ako doon. Inaabutan ako ni Manny ng mga P200. Sa gym ako natutulog, sa loob ng ring. Ang pangtulog ko ?yun din ang pangtrabaho ko.”
Fernandez said he often cried and thought of quitting in the early years. He missed his family, the work was grueling and the pay was small. But because of Pacquiao, he persevered.
Fernandez said Pacquiao told him if he worked hard as a trainer, they would go places together. That was Fernandez? motivation. He learned technique from veteran cornerman Leonardo (Ambo) Pablo and how to relate with fighters from Eling Angeles, whose wards included Abner Cordero and Gerry Balagbagan.
Eventually, Fernandez got the hang of working the punch mitts and acting as a second during fights. He made his debut in Pacquiao?s corner in the Gabriel Mira bout in 1999.
A major influence in Fernandez? training career is Freddie Roach. Fernandez said Roach taught him the importance of disciplining a fighter, defensive tactics, footwork, distance and how to corner an opponent in the ring.
“Si Manny, walang problema sa disiplina,” said Fernandez. “Maraming alam si Manny sa boksing kanya marami siyang suggestion sa kanyang training. Marami akong natutunan kay Manny.”
In the US, Fernandez said he has bought books on boxing, particularly on training methods.
At Roach?s Wild Card gym, Fernandez? only focus is Pacquiao. But occasionally, he helps out Roach in training other customers, like actress Maria Lopez. Roach and brother Pepper said they?ve adopted Fernandez as part of the “ipis” (Roach) family.
“Proud ako to be a trainer,” said Fernandez. “Ito ang hanap-buhay ko. Sa kinita ko bilang trainer, nakabili na ako ng tatlong lupa sa General Santos?isang 2,000 square meter na compound, isang 300 square meter property na tatayuan ko ng four-door apartment at isang 285 square meter na lote. Pagbalik ko sa atin, balak kong magpatayo na ng bahay.”
Fernandez splits five percent of Pacquiao?s purses with Lito Mondejar.
“Bago namatay ang ama ko two years ago, nag-promise ako sa kanya na kung swertehin ako, aalagaan ko ang aking tatlong kapatid at ina namin,” said Fernandez. “Ang pangarap ko ay pag-gising ko sa umaga, wala ng iniintindihin ang pamilya ko, na baka ma-demolish ang aming pamamahay dahil squatter lang kami. Ang balak ko ay magpatayo ng bahay sa isang compound na lahat kaming magkapatid nagsasama.”
Fernandez said he calls home from the US twice a week to speak with his wife Marie Claire and their two boys, Paul Francis, 5, and John Kylo, 1.
“Miss na miss ko na ang pamilya ko,” said
Fernandez. “Magtatatlong buwan na kami sa US. But worth it naman kasi para sa bansa ito. Mananalo si Manny para sa ating bansa.”
