Manny’s next foe nearly killed

When Manny Pacquiao steps into the ring to face International Boxing Federation (IBF) superfeatherweight champion Robbie Peden in September, he’ll be up against a two-time Australian Olympian who was nearly killed by a burglar in a Brisbane attack six years ago.

Peden, 31, suffered multiple injuries during a scuffle with a robber in what was called a "home invasion." It took 55 stitches to sew up cuts in his face and there was also damage to his knees, hands and fingers. His assailant was captured and later charged with attempted murder.

The incident traumatized Peden who had to consult a psychologist to solve a sleeping problem.

"I’m a bit paranoid that someone is going to come and get me but it’s something I have to deal with," he said. "It’s just another thing in life. It’s like a speed bump. It will slow me down but it won’t stop me. I’ve always felt my destiny is to be a world champion and this is just another hurdle I have to get over."

Peden’s rise to stardom is a case study in patience.

Throughout his amateur and pro career, Peden has been haunted by injuries. He broke a hand in 1997, dislocated a shoulder in 1998, was almost murdered in 1999 and tore a rotator cuff in 2000.

Three years ago, Peden battled Juan Manuel Marquez in a bloody featherweight brawl in Pittsburgh. The Aussie struggled to make the weight and it showed during the war of attrition. At the end of the 10th round, Peden vomited in his corner and referee Rick Steigenwald stopped the fight. Peden, slumped on his stool, threw up because of exhaustion and the amount of blood he swallowed from cuts in his mouth.

Marquez finished the bout with a broken nose and blood all over his face. More than anything, Peden displayed guts and a huge heart in never backing down against the Mexican.

It was Peden’s second defeat as a pro and he hasn’t lost since. His first setback was dealt by John Brown on points in 2000. Peden injured his rotator cuff during the fight but survived the distance with Brown.

As an amateur, Peden won at least 10 international championships. He was Australia’s flyweight champion in 1991, bantamweight titlist in 1992 and featherweight ruler in 1994.

At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Peden reached the quarterfinals, beating Marty O’Donnell of Canada and Yacine Chikh of Algeria before bowing to Choi Chul Su of North Korea. Four years later, in Atlanta, he outpointed Mohammed Achik of Morocco then lost a 20-8 decision to Serafim Todorov of Bulgaria.

In 1994, Peden became the first Australian to win a gold medal in 16 years as he cleaned up the featherweight division at the Commonwealth Games. His victims were Gairy St. Claire of Guyana, George Ovenge of Kenya, Fred Mutuwata of Uganda and Spencer Oliver of England.

Peden turned pro in 1996 and initially trained at Pernell Whitaker’s gym in Virginia Beach. He based himself in the US to be close to big-time action and has lived in Fernando Vargas’ palatial house near Big Bear in California where Oscar de la Hoya and Marco Antonio Barrera train.

Last year, Peden stamped his class as a world contender when he came back from being badly hurt by a right to the body to knock out Nate Campbell in the fifth round. With Peden writhing in pain, Campbell stuck out his chin to taunt the Aussie and was promptly whacked by a left hook. Campbell collapsed in a heap and was counted out.

In a rematch last February, Peden proved his first win was no fluke as he halted Campbell in the eighth round in Melbourne to win the vacant IBF 130-pound crown. The throne was relinquished by Erik Morales when he chose to fight Barrera last November.

"I can fight with the best in the world," said Peden, nicknamed the Bomber. "Why do you think Morales gave up the belt? Because he didn’t want none of this (the beating he administered to Campbell). This is the beginning. None of them would give me a shot at the world title because I am a hard fight. Now I’ve got the belt, they can come to me."

Peden finally ascended the throne in his ninth year in the pros. Despite the travails in his career, he never lost hope and patience.

Boxing writer Graham Houston described Peden as "a good technician with a solid chin, more boxer than puncher."

Peden, who has a 69-inch reach and stands 5-8, boasts a 25-2 record, with 14 KOs.

Peden isn’t just a stepping stone for Pacquiao to arrange a Morales rematch. A win over Peden will make Pacquiao the first Asian to win world titles in four different divisions. Pacquiao was the World Boxing Council flyweight and IBF superbantamweight titleholder. He won "universal" recognition as the "consensus" or people’s featherweight champion for beating Barrera but no governing body sanctioned the title fight.