THE FIGHT could have gone either way.
This was admitted by Rex Wakee Salud, maker of world champions, who was at ringside when Bobby Pacquiao scored a split decision win over Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez in Las Vegas yesterday.
Salud manages Bobby in a teamup with Manny Pacquiao, fabulous elder brother of the winner.
Manny, for his part, contended his brother deserved the hard-earned victory.
It was a close, rugged fight. But what obviously won it for Bobby was a flashing left straight, visibly borrowed from his elder brother, which knocked down Hernandez close to the end of the second round.
Bobby Pacquiao may have won several other rounds in the eyes of at least two judges.
But these were not very clear rounds.
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They usually call this unclear win a disputed decision.
In order to resolve it, Salud said a rematch would most probably be worked out. If not, Bobby Pacquiao would next be pitted against Zahir Raheem, surprise conqueror of the great Erik Morales last Sept. 11.
Salud, who said they are scheduled to fly home Oct. 12, said Bobby would fight again in December.
Now, fight critics cannot be blamed for refusing to swoon over the slim points win scored by Manny Pacquiao’s younger brod.
It was, indeed, an upset victory.
But it can’t be considered a sequel to the glorious triple victory scored by the Magnificent Trio of Manny Pacquiao, Brian Viloria and Boom Boom Bautista at the Staples Center in Los Angeles last month.
There will be no ticker-tape parade, no audience with the President.
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Of course, Bobby Pacquiao had to surpass himself yesterday to survive Famoso’s murderous body blows.
The victory, to repeat, was not of the sensational variety.
But in surviving the test, Pacquiao, at least, also succeeded in upholding the glowing reputation recently earned by Filipino boxers with the 3-for-3 knockout masterpiece performed by Pacman & Co. in California on Sept. 11.
For the record, Bobby Pacquiao, despite reporting for the test straight from a big knockout win over Carlos Navarro last June, was again pegged an awful underdog yesterday.
Those who had followed the careers of both Famoso and the young Pacquiao claimed Bobby was not unlike a backyard leaguer suddenly let loose in the pros.
The fight had the clear makings of a mismatch.
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In fact, there was a silent clamor that if Bobby Pacquiao, faced with formidable odds, would lose, may he at least finish on his feet and lose with dignity.
Anyway, the lightning left that sent his foe down also sent the message that Bobby Pacquiao had not ventured on an impossible mission.
He did get bullied and pummeled, with bombs around the tummy no less.
But also gone was the old, notorious marshmallow nature of his stomach.
The transformation, no doubt, was total.
And grateful fingers are, again, pointing to trainer Freddie Roach as the mastermind.
With Roach holding the rein, as he had done with Manny Pacquiao, Viloria and Bautista, Bobby can only be expected to be doubly sharp and durable the next time around.
If a rematch with Famoso Hernandez materializes, the odds could be expected to even up.
Not only would the younger of the fighting Pacquiao brothers be doubly prepared.
He has proven he could hold his own against the world’s best.
Of course, Pinoy fight fans will be called on to pray for Bobby Pacquiao again.
But they no longer have to do it on bended knees.
