Bobby loses to foe by disqualification

LAS VEGAS — An overweight Bobby Pacquiao was disqualified for low blow in the 11th round Thursday and surrendered his WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title to Mexico’s Hector Velasquez at the Hard Rock Hotel here.

The 26-year-old Bobby was stripped of the title the other day after he tipped the scales three pounds over the 130-pound limit. The fight, however, pushed through although the title had already been declared vacant.

But with his victory, Velasquez became the new champion.

Bobby floored Velasquez in the third round with an uppercut, but the Mexican, who absorbed a sixth-round KO to Manny Pacquiao last year at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, came back strong.

Toward the end of the round, however, Bobby was penalized a point for a low blow. Another low blow, and another point deduction was called by referee Kenny Bayless in the fifth round.

A final warning was issued in the 10th round by Bayless, who officiated the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales rematch last January. Manny won the bout via a 10th round knockout.

In the 11th, Bobby once again hit Velasquez low, forcing the referee to declare the Mexican the winner via disqualification.

Bobby was leading in two of the three scorecards when the bout was stopped. His record dropped to 27-12-3 while Velasquez improved to (46-11-2).

Manny watched the fight from his suite at Wynn Hotel, and made no comment on the referee’s decision to disqualify his younger brother.

"But I’ve been telling him to change the way he delivers his uppercut," said Manny. — Abac Cordero