Hussein back for rematch? - SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson

Commonwealth and Australian junior featherweight champion Nedal Hussein is barking for a rematch. World Boxing Council (WBC) International superbantamweight titlist Manny Pacquiao says let’s get it on.

Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario told The STAR yesterday he’s willing to promote the return bout here. Tentative date is Dec. 16. Nazario said he’s been approached by two other groups interested to stage the grudge fight.

A plan for Pacquiao to fight International Boxing Organization (IBO) junior featherweight ruler Simon Ramoni in South Africa next month fell through because according to Nazario, it wouldn’t have led to a crack at the International Boxing Federation (IBF) crown held by Benedict (Lehlo) Ledwaba anyway.

South African promoter Rodney Berman had promised Pacquiao a shot at Ledwaba’s crown if he beats Ramoni. But the IBF has refused to sanction a Pacquiao-Ramoni fight as an eliminator to determine Ledwaba’s next challenger.

Nazario said he was informed that the IBF isn’t keen on allowing Pacquiao a title shot because he is linked to the WBC. It’s a shame that once again, politics has come in the way of determining a real world champion. If Pacquiao is a worthy challenger, why shouldn’t he be given a shot at the IBF crown? Surely, the IBF could order Pacquiao to relinquish his WBC International title as a condition for a title shot.

Or maybe Ramoni is just scared of facing Pacquiao. And so Ledwaba. Note that both Ramoni and Ledwaba are South Africans. Birds of the same color (yellow) tremble the same way.

So it’s back to Hussein, the tough Aussie who nearly knocked out Pacquiao in their riotous first meeting at the Ynares Center in Antipolo last Oct. 14.

Hussein’s manager Jeff Fenech claimed referee Carlos (Sonny) Padilla rescued Pacquiao from a knockout by interrupting the action. He said Padilla should’ve stopped it when Pacquiao couldn’t walk straight after getting up from the floor. Still, Pacquiao managed to hold on as Hussein went in for the kill. But the Filipino got a break when Padilla intervened to order a point deduction on Hussein for repeated headbutting. Fenech said the interruption gave Pacquiao at least 25 seconds to clear his head.

But Fenech’s version is one side of the story.

Padilla was right in slapping the deduction on Hussein. And he should’ve disqualified the Aussie in the later rounds for dirty fighting. Hussein used every trick outside of the Queensberry rules in an attempt to fluster Pacquiao. He struck Pacquiao with his elbows and forearms. He stepped on his feet and punched on the break. He butted Pacquiao and spun him around like a bully. Padilla was too hospitable to Hussein, a rulebreaker in the mold of Sandy Saddler and Love Allotey.

New Zealand referee Bruce McTavish said he would’ve disqualified Hussein two rounds before ring physician Dr. Nasser Cruz called it a night because of a deep cut over the Aussie’s left eye. Fenech said Hussein did what he did because Padilla allowed it.

Dr. Cruz decision to stop the fight was right. The cut was bad. But even if the fight went on, Hussein was clearly on the way out. Pacquiao led on the three judges’ scorecards and Hussein was hardly punching back when Padilla stepped in.

Nazario said if Hussein agrees to a rematch here, he’ll accommodate the Aussie. I suggest Nazario taps McTavish to work the fight. Forget Padilla.

Pacquiao is busy staying in shape in the gym. According to Nazario, Pacquiao can’t wait to fight Hussein again. He failed to floor the durable Aussie in their first match. He’ll make sure Hussein goes down for the count in the rematch.

Nazario said unless Pacquiao is rated No. 1, WBC superbantamweight champion Guillermo (Willie) Jorrin won’t give him a title shot. Pacquiao, the No. 5 contender, is too dangerous an opponent. Jorrin captured the vacant WBC 122-pound title on a majority 12-round decision over Michael Brodie in Manchester, England, last Sept. 9. The title was relinquished by Erik Morales of Mexico.

Pacquiao is itching to become a world champion before his wife Jinky gives birth to their first child early next year. But it doesn’t look like he’ll make it on time. Jorrin and Ledwaba are avoiding Pacquiao like the plague.

At least, Hussein has the guts to fight Pacquiao.