Fresh from a spectacular seventh round stoppage of Carlos Navarro in Friant, California, last Friday, Bobby has suddenly become hot property. He was never really known for his fighting heart and his power paled in comparison to kuya Manny’s. But against Navarro, Bobby displayed raw courage and guts in bowling over the former two-time US amateur champion before a national TV audience at the Table Mountain Casino near Fresno.
Bobby was invited by Manny to join him here for the duration of the trial of the case he filed against New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad.
Bobby, 24, was scheduled to arrive from Los Angeles, where he has been living in businessman Michael Koncz’ home, yesterday afternoon.
"Ang tapang na ni Bobby," said Manny who watched the fight on the ESPN 2 channel. "Pinakita niya ang puso ng Pacquiao. Magaling si Navarro. May plano nga na kung tinalo ni Navarro si Bobby, siya ang makakalaban ko sa September tune-up para kay (Erik) Morales. Revenge fight daw para sa akin kung nanalo si Navarro."
But with the upset victory, the kid brother will now be booked in the undercard of Manny’s next US show, probably in September.
Manny’s trainer Freddie Roach was supposed to be in Bobby’s corner for the fight but couldn’t leave here because of depositions scheduled by lawyers. Instead, his chief assistant Justin Fortune, a former Australian heavyweight, was in the corner. Fighter Vernie Torres was also in the arena to support Bobby.
Manny and Roach watched the fight on TV in New Jersey where they stayed for a week before moving to the Roger Williams Hotel on 31st and Madison Avenue here last Sunday.
Bobby slipped and slid on shoes with little traction in the first two rounds, allowing Navarro to take the initiative. That prompted Roach to call Fortune on his cellphone to suggest taping the shoes with the sticky portion out to grip the canvas.
"It was the second time something like that happened to my fighter," said Roach. "You don’t douse the shoes with a soft drink to make it sticky. That doesn’t work. Bobby’s shoes were used up and the canvas was slippery because of the paint of the sponsor’s logo. I was lucky to contact Justin and he followed my advice."
Manny said referee John Schorle should be investigated for clearly taking sides in the fight.
Schorle deducted a point from Bobby for supposedly a low blow that dropped Navarro but a replay showed it was a clean shot to the solar plexus. He didn’t only penalize Bobby but also took away his 10-8 round. The referee also encouraged Navarro to get up after he was decked and took a glancing blow to the side of the body while kneeling.
"Kung ako naroon, pina-investigate ko siya sa athletic commission," said Manny. ‘Grabe ang nangyari. Garapalan. Buti na lang matapang si Bobby at hindi siya nagpabaya. Baka nasuntok ko pa ang referee kung nanood ako roon."
Roach said he knows Schorle personally. "If I were in Bobby’s corner, he wouldn’t have done that," he said. "He’s got too much respect for me."
Manny said he will manage Bobby’s career from now on. Roach, of course, will train the Pacquiao brothers.
"Parang tatay ko na si Freddie," said Manny. "Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanya at siya ang nagpaliwanag sa akin na niloloko ako at pinakilala sa akin sina Keith (Davidson), Nick (Khan) at Shelly (Finkel)." Davidson and Khan are lawyers while Finkel is his new manager.
Roach arrived here with Manny last June 13 and has since not left his side.
"I hope I still have a gym when I go back to L.A.," chuckled Roach who owns the Wild Card Boxing facility in Hollywood.
Roach said former champion Mike Tyson never called for his services in training for Kevin McBride whom he recently lost to and instead picked Jeff Fenech of Australia as his cornerman. He said he will also not be in "Million Dollar Baby" villainess Lucia Rijker’s corner in her potential $1 Million payday against Christy Martin at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on July 30.
"I used to train Lucia and she still works out at my gym," said Roach. "But she’s too demanding. I’ve got two fighters in the undercard of her fight and she wants me to be in her dressing room the whole night. So I’m staying with my two fighters."
The two Roach proteges are Hawaii-born Filipino and 2000 Olympian Brian Viloria and 2004 Olympian Vanes Martirosyan of Armenia. The unbeaten Viloria, now promoted by Top Rank, challenges World Boxing Council (WBC) lightflyweight champion Eric Ortiz while Martirosyan, also undefeated, eyes his third win in a row since turning pro last April.
Roach will also be in Wayne McCullough’s corner when the Irishman faces WBC superbantamweight titlist Oscar Larios in a Las Vegas championship bout on July 16.