Pacquiao wary of unknown foe

This one may not be a title fight but reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-bantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao isn’t about to take chances.

Certainly, not against an opponent whom he has yet to see fight personally.

"Di ko pa siya nakita o napanood sa mismong laban kaya medyo mabigat ang laban," admitted Pacquiao of his Kazakhstan opponent, Serikzhan Yesmangbitov, against whom he’ll slug it out for 10 rounds in a non-title bout at the Luneta Grandstand this coming Saturday.

Pacquiao appeared in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Manila Pavillion hotel along with Jun Sarreal and business manager Rod Nazario, who disclosed that the reigning Filipino world champion is taking the fight just like a coming title defense.

"Si Manny naman maski sino ang kalaban, ang ensayo niya parang world championship din," said Nazario in the same forum which has for sponsors Agfa Colors and Red Bull.

Yesmangbitov’s record of 13 wins, eight of which were knockouts, and nine losses may pale in comparison with the 35 wins (27 KOs) and two losses of Pacquiao, although the Filipino’s camp said the former Kazakhstan champion is a fighter to reckon with.

"Kumpleto po siya at malakas ang suntok," said Pacquiao, a southpaw.

The bout, which guarantees the General Santos City native a cool P2.5 million prize purse, is Pacquiao’s first since successfully defending his title for the second time opposite Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym of Thailand in Davao last October.

Win or lose, the Filipino champion has to make a mandatory title defense until October or face the consequence of being stripped of his crown. Nazario though admitted that no opponent has yet been lined up nor where the fight will be held.

He did mention of a possible megabuck fight with either Johnny Tapia or Paulie Ayala.

"Sa ngayon,’yung dalawa (Tapia and Ayala) ang matunog pero hindi pa rin sigurado," said Nazario.