On February 9th, 2006 Rustico Torrecampo knocked out one of the greatest fighters of all time. Well he may not have been the greatest fighter of all time when it happened, but history would prove so at a later date. Some guy name Manny Pacquiao would get into the ring. Torrecampo wasn’t scared, it was just another opponent. Just another opponent? Yes, In 1996 Pacquiao was just an ordinary fighter. My oh my how time changes things.
I am not sure where Mr Torrecampo is right now, but I am sure that he tells the story to his family and friends. How would it feel to be able to truthfully tell people that you knocked out Manny Pacquiao in 3 rounds? How many people believe him? There must be several people that just look at him and start laughing. Mr Torrecampo isn’t laughing, and neither are those who find out that he does speak the truth.
It was in 1996 in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines, the pound for pound king would be stopped in three rounds. Fourteen years later the same man would be a seven division world champion, and an elected Congressman. Mr Torrecampo can tell his friends that not only did he knockout a legend, he also knocked out a Congressman elected by his people.
Read up more on the man who knocked out Manny Pacquiao here – http://http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/pacquiao-knocked-down-not-out/
Mississippians who I have spoken to in boxing of course know who Manny Pacquiao is, but do they know Rustico? That would be a big fat no. I asked 10 people in Jackson, MS at a local boxing gym if any one of them have ever heard of Rustico Torrecampo. One guy said that he was a baseball player. One guy said that he was an Indy car racer. Not one person said that he was the guy that knocked out the greatest fighter alive.
Torrecampo has a story to tell his grandchildren. His grandchildren will one day grow up and be able to tell their children. I have a feeling that the Torrecampo family will be telling this story for many generations to come.
Check out more on Manny Pacquiao here – http://www.8countnews.com
