Other Pacquiao diamond in the rough

LAS VEGAS — Bobby Pacquiao, to Bob Arum, is a "diamond in the rough."

Now, whether the famous boxing promoter is right or wrong will be known on Thursday when Bobby, better known as the younger brother of Manny Pacquiao, sees action at the Hard Rock Hotel here.

Bobby, 26, will defend his World Boxing Council Continental Americas super-featherweight crown against gritty Mexican Hector Velasquez who absorbed a sixth round knockout against Manny late last year.

Bobby, who has a 27-11-3 record with 12 knockouts, has won his last three fights against Carlos Navarro, Carlos Hernandez and Kevin Kelley in a span of 12 months, and continued to follow Manny’s footsteps.

Many have started wondering if he’s for real.

"Bobby is a diamond in the rough. But the question is does he have the dedication? So far the answer is yes," said Arum during a press conference held at Hard Rock Hotel Tuesday noon.

"Bobby is one of those fighters who simply drift along for years. They win some and lose some. But once they get a hold of themselves, they start winning. That’s what’s happening to him," Arum said.

Bobby is fighting in the same 130-pound division with Manny who is also here in Sin City preparing for his awaited showdown with Erik Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center on Saturday.

The official weigh-in for Bobby’s fight is set at 5 p.m. today. The weigh-in for Manny’s bout is on Friday.

Velasquez, a veteran fighter on and off the ring, has fought 58 times as a pro, compiling a ring record of 45-11-2 with 32 knockouts. The street fighter from Tijuana has also won three in a row.

"I’ve really prepared for this fight. It’s going to be action-packed," said Bobby in Filipino as Velasquez sat just two seats away at the press conference’s presidential table.

"I came here to fight," was all Velasquez said during his turn at the microphone. He was described by Arum, the fight promoter, as "a boxer who always fights his heart out."

The 12-rounder scheduled at 7 p.m. is the main event of a six-fight card at the small but intimate venue that could house no more than 800. No other Filipino boxer is in the card.

"This officially kicks off fight week. It’s going to be a fitting appetizer to what will happen at the Thomas and Mack Center on Saturday," added Arum during the press con attended by a couple dozen mediamen. — Abac Cordero