Much improved Bobby lucky to win

While it isn’t clear that Bobby Pacquiao deserved the decision to beat Carlos Hernandez in Las Vegas last Saturday (Sunday in Manila), boxing experts are convinced he’s much-improved and ready to shoot for bigger game.

"Nakadaya tayo but at least nanalo," said Ramon (Moy) Lainez, co-owner of the L&M Gym in Sampaloc where Pacquiao often trains, yesterday. "Swerte si Bobby at dumating ang araw niya. Definitely, malaki ang improvement ni Bobby. Close ang laban inspite of the knockdown at pwedeng nanalo si Hernandez. Sa tingin ko, nakuha ni Bobby ang first three rounds but nakabawi si Hernandez with good body-punching."

Clive Bernath, writing in secondsout.com, commented, "Pacquiao may have got the decision but Hernandez clearly looked the stronger, more dominant of the two and can count himself very unfortunate not to get the decision."

Pedro Fernandez, in RingTalk.com, wrote, "While the Filipino opened strong, dropping Hernandez in the second, it was all downhill from that point forward ... most of the media felt Hernandez had clearly won."

International referee Bruce McTavish declined to comment on the scoring but said he was relieved that Pacquiao walked away with the victory.

A southpaw, Pacquiao decked Hernandez with a left hook to the head in the second canto and went on to score a split 10-round decision. Judge Robert Hoyle saw it 97-92 for Hernandez, awarding seven rounds to the Los Angeles-born El Salvadorian and two to Pacquiao with one even. Judge Duane Ford had it 95-93 and judge Chuck Giampa, 95-94, both for Pacquiao.

Lainez said Hernandez fought like he did against Erik Morales last year and that fight went the distance. "Hindi napatumba ni Morales si Hernandez at nakatagal si Bobby sa kanya," continued Lainez. "Mukhang maganda ang kondisyon ni Bobby at marami siyang natutunan kay Freddie (Roach) sa gym."

Lainez pointed out that Pacquiao unraveled a new weapon, the right uppercut, and it proved effective. He also credited conditioning coach Justin Fortune for toughening Pacquiao’s midsection which used to be his weak spot.

Lainez was at ringside when Pacquiao was halted by Fahprakorb Rakkiat-Gym in Chonburi, Thailand, last February and said body blows led to the loss.

"Bumagsak si Bobby sa ninth round," recalled Lainez. "Kinatawan siya ni Fahprakorb. Hindi naman siya nabilangan ng sampu. Tinigil na lang ng referee. Kinapos si Bobby at nawalan ng hangin. Marahil ay hindi maganda ang training niya sa laban."

Lainez said the presence of Pacquiao’s older brother Manny at ringside in Las Vegas was a big boost. Manny was not in Thailand when Bobby lost. Lainez said Manny’s presence gives Bobby a 20 to 30 percent lift in morale.

In Thailand, trainer Nonoy Neri and Lito Mondejar worked Pacquiao’s corner. Lainez was at ringside with Rod Nazario and Gerry Garcia.

Lainez said in his opinion, Hernandez won by one or two points. He observed that the pattern in the late rounds was Pacquiao would start strong but Hernandez would finish stronger. However, Lainez said Hoyle’s 97-92 vote for Hernandez was unfair because the fight wasn’t one-sided.

"Magaling si Hernandez," said Lainez. "Malamang ang balak ni (promoter) Bob Arum kung nanalo si Hernandez ay ilaban siya kay Manny pagkatapos ng Morales fight sa Jan. 21."

Lainez said Pacquiao’s upset win lines him up for bigger paydays. He said an option is to challenge World Boxing Association (WBA) titlist Vicente Mosquera of Panama or World Boxing Organization (WBO) king Jorge Barrios of Argentina because Marco Antonio Barrera is recognized as the unified superfeatherweight champion by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF).

As regards talk that Pacquiao may face Zahir Raheem in the undercard of Manny’s rematch with Morales, Lainez said that would be a tough fight.

Lainez said even if Morales were in tip-top shape for Raheem, he might not have been able to beat him last month. He noted that even Manny will find it difficult to defeat Raheem who is slick, hard to hit and likes to box from a distance.

But Lainez didn’t discount an upset. He admitted thinking Pacquiao would lose to Carlos Navarro last June and to Hernandez. But Pacquiao defied the odds to beat them both.

After Pacquiao’s knockout win over Navarro, Cebu-based businessman Tony Aldeguer said conditioning made the difference.

"I’m happy for Bobby because we trained him for over a month," said Aldeguer, referring to Pacquiao’s stay at the Ala Gym in Cebu before flying to the US. "Just goes to show that with proper training, discipline and motivation, Filipinos can be at par with the best of the Mexicans. That’s all we did for Bobby."

Lainez said over a year ago, the Pacquiao brothers sparred at the L&M Gym and the session had to be stopped after Bobby was whacked in the ribs by Manny. An X-ray later showed a dislocated rib. No surgery was required and doctors prescribed a long rest for Bobby.

"Tuwing tinatamaan sa tagiliran si Bobby, natatandaan ko yung sparring niya kay Manny," said Lainez. "Buti napatibay nina Freddie at Justin ang katawan ni Bobby. Kung hindi, tumiklop siya kay Hernandez."

Lainez said Pacquiao has more natural boxing skills than his older brother but isn’t as strong or gutsy.

"Pwedeng mag-world champion din si Bobby, bakit hindi?" continued Lainez. "May option siyang bumaba sa featherweight. Maliliit naman ang kanyang mga hita. Kaya niyang magbawas ng timbang at labanan si (Juan Manuel) Marquez."

One thing that Lainez would like Pacquiao to work on is the way he punches. "Ang suntok ni Bobby hindi niya binabaun kagaya ni Manny," said Lainez. "Half-cooked ang suntok ni Bobby, hindi puro. But malaki na ang improvement niya. Gagaling pa siya."