BOBBY PACQUIAO finally stepped out of his popular brother’s shadow yesterday, hacking out a split decision victory over former International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez in their 10-round bout at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
A southpaw like his brother Manny, the younger Pacquiao started well in the opening round then followed it up with a big second round where he knocked down Hernandez with a left straight.
The knockdown may have spelled the difference for the Filipino, who faded in the late rounds from a heavy body barrage by the veteran fighter from El Salvador.
Judges Duane Ford and Chuck Giampa scored it 95-93 and 95-94, respectively, for Pacquiao. The third judge, Robert Hoyle, gave it to Hernandez by a mile 97-92, awarding the first two rounds to Pacquiao and the last eight to Hernandez.
“Masayang-masaya ako sa panalo ni Bobby, at salamat po sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa kapatid ko (I’m very happy for Bobby and I thank all those who supported him),” said an ecstatic Manny Pacquiao in a long-distance interview with the Inquirer after the verdict was announced.
Manny was at ringside along with noted Cebuano promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud to root for his brother, who was also honed by his American trainer Freddie Roach.
Bobby picked up $90,000 as he raised his record to 26 wins against 11 losses and three draws. He came into the fight after winning the WBC Continental Americas title by beating Carlos Navarro last June.
The win also assures Bobby of barging into the top 10 of the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) rankings, where Hernandez, now 41-6-1, is currently rated.
Hernandez won the IBF super featherweight title in 2003 but lost it to Eric Morales in a unification bout a year later
