RP’s Pacquiao stops foe in 2nd round, retains IBF title

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AFP) — Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines defended his International Boxing Federation junior featherweight title by stopping former world bantamweight champion Jorge Julio of Colombia in the second round here yesterday.

Pacquiao rose to 34-2 with one draw with his 25th pro knockout when referee Bill Clancy halted the fight after 69 seconds of Round 2.

"I did not think it would be that easy," Pacquiao said. "The plan was to come out and let him feel my power early. I knew after the first knockdown that it was just a matter of time."

The Asian star jumped on Julio quickly, throwing a stunning left to the head and attacking the staggered South American with repeated left hands along the ropes until Clancy jumped between them.

"I can’t complain about the stoppage," said Julio, who fell to 44-4. "I just got caught. I was not surprised by his aggression but I was surprised by his left hook."

"I couldn’t get into the rhythm of the fight quick enough. But my biggest problem was he was a southpaw. I guess I have problems with lefties," he added.

Pacquiao won the title 50 weeks ago by stopping champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba of South Africa in the sixth round and kept it after a draw against Mexico’s Agapito Sanchez last November.

Pacquiao’s goal is to unify the title and then move up to the featherweight division.

"I hope that now people will start to respect me a little more. I feel that I am a good fighter," he said.

Julio won the World Boxing Association bantamweight title in 1992 and kept it until suffering his first pro loss a year later to American Junior Jones.