Bobby Pacquiao stopps veteran Kevin Kelley in the 4th round of their contest on the Cotto-Malignaggi under card!
On Saturday night, Bobby Pacquiao moved one step closer to title contention in the 130lb division with a crushing stoppage of veteran Kevin Kelley. Bobby started out slightly apprehensive as Kelley displayed some of the savvy that comes from being such a long time professional in the sport. He moved well and made Pacquiao miss over most of the opening two rounds. But in the third the determined Pacquiao began to catch up to Kelley, mixing in a blistering body attack.
In the closing seconds of the third round Pacquiao caught Kelley with a deceptive and crashing left hand that dropped him hard. Kelley was saved by the bell, but the minute of rest did little good. Bobby came out smelling blood and pounded Kelley against the ropes with relentless aggression. A staggering body shot capped off a violent barrage and Kelly was down and in agony. The fight was waived off immediately.
Bobby Pacquiao has now emerged as a serious contender in the 130lb division, with a fine looking string of victories behind him. In his last 3 fights he boasts victories over durable contenders like Carlos Navarro, Carlos Hernandez, and now Kevin Kelley.
At the tender age of 25, Bobby Pacquiao can now be considered a threat at Super Featherweight, and no longer just the younger brother of Pound for Pound terror Manny. He has displayed a maturity gained in training with renowned trainer Freddie Roach and has shown some frightening power. “I was really confident that I would win because of the training that I went through at the Wild Card in Hollywood” Bobby said after the fight. Pacquiao had been training in Los Angeles with Roach since mid April.
Word is that Bobby’s handlers are looking to secure a possible fight with WBO Super Featherweight Champion Jorge Barrios or an even more ambitious opponent in the likes of Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera, who holds the WBC title. Humberto Soto (former Rocky Juarez conqueror) has also been mentioned as another possible opponent.
