Pacquiao predicts KO in four rounds

International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao boldly predicted he would knock out World Boxing Organization (WBO) titlist Agapito Sanchez of the Dominican Republic in the fourth round of their unification fight at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco this morning (Manila time).

Both fighters easily made the 122-pound limit during the 3 p.m. weigh-in yesterday at the Nikko Hotel in downtown San Francisco. Pacquiao, 22, tipped the scales at 120 1/4 while Sanchez, 31, checked in at 120.

After the weigh-in, Pacquiao was treated to a meal of steamed chicken and steamed fish at a Chinese restaurant by business manager Rod Nazario.

According to Nazario, Pacquiao isn’t taking any chances against Sanchez and will go for an early knockout. Nazario said Pacquiao’s in the best shape of his career — better than when he halted Lehlo Ledwaba to wrest the IBF crown in Las Vegas last June.

Nazario said at the rules meeting after the weigh-in, referee Marty Denkin told Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach that he’s aware of Sanchez’ history of using dirty tactics in the ring. Denkin, a 67-year-old former police investigator, promised to call it fair and square.

Sanchez, who’s shorter than Pacquiao by three inches but is built more solidly, has a street brawler’s reputation. Against Marco Antonio Barrera, he was penalized twice for low blows. Against Mauricio Diaz, he was slapped a pair of point deductions for blows to the groin and eventually disqualified in the eighth round. Against Juan Manuel Marquez, he was penalized once for a blow below the belt. Against Guty Espadas, he was slapped a point deduction for a foul blow and lost a majority verdict to the former World Boxing Council featherweight champion.

Boxing expert Graham Houston said Sanchez "has a good chin and is unlikely to be blown out early" but picked Pacquiao to win by stoppage in the ninth. Sanchez’ chances, added Houston, hinge on whether or not Pacquiao’s defense holds up.

Pacquiao spared 40 rounds in three weeks of rigorous training at Roach’s Wild Card gym in Los Angeles before relocating to San Francisco last Tuesday. Among Pacquiao’s sparmates were unbeaten Mexican junior featherweight Gilberto Corrales, another Mexican contender Carlos Tapia-Madrigal, US-based up-and-coming Filipino prospect Glenn Donaire, and Karen Harutyan of Armenia. He had previously sparred 80 rounds in Manila. Pacquiao, Nazario, and Filipino trainer Lito Mondejar left for Los Angeles last Oct. 16.

Sanchez boasted that he, too, is in tip-top shape and said he sparred mainly with former World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight titlist Junior Jones. Apparently, Sanchez wasn’t informed that Jones’ license was temporarily suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission the other week because of concerns on his speech, motor skills, and balance. For Jones to continue fighting, he will be required to undergo a neurological examination. — With report from Jason Aniel