Buboy Fernandez, who backstops Freddie Roach and Justin Fortune in training Pacquiao, is impressed with Rodela. "He sparred about 50 rounds with Manny for the third (Erik) Morales fight and another 50 for (Jorge) Solis," said Fernandez. "He went toe-to-toe with Manny, never backed down and took Manny’s hardest shots. You’ve got to give him credit for his durability. Manny likes to spar with him because he doesn’t step back."
Fernandez said the Oxnard, California, fighter could be a future world champion.
Rodela was in San Antonio to watch Pacquiao’s eighth round demolition of Solis recently and told The Star there isn’t anyone in the 130-pound horizon with a chance of beating the Filipino. "In the gym, he just keeps improving," said Rodela. "He’s unbelievable. Everyone knows how strong and quick he is but what is even more impressive is his defense. He uses good footwork to spin away from his opponent like he did against Morales. You can’t hit him because he’s so fast. And I noticed he’s using his right hand a lot more than before."
Pacquiao, however, abandoned his nifty footwork and side-to-side movement in attacking Solis straight up. He showed no respect for Solis’ power and charged in only to be held at bay by the Mexican’s rapier-like left jabs in the early rounds. Eventually, Pacquiao’s body work wore down Solis and in the eighth, Coloradito was decked twice before referee Vic Drakulich called it a night.
Rodela has the tools to make an impact in the fight game. He’s lean like Tommy Hearns and packs power in both hands. Rodela, 24, stands 5-11 and has a 74-inch reach. His record is 6-1-2, with four KOs.
Rodela, a former amateur standout who saw action in the 2004 US Olympic trials, turned pro in 2005 and hasn’t lost in his last five outings since he was stopped by Hector Leyva with a left hook to the jaw. He has scored three first round KOs.
Rodela is now sparring at Wild Card with Pacquiao’s younger brother Bobby who takes on Humberto Soto at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 9.
Bobby is staying at an apartment provided by Pacquiao in Los Angeles. He lives with Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz, driver-cook Alex Oreto, writer Winchell Campos and bantamweight Mercito Gesta. "I helped out Nonoy (Neri) in preparing meals when Manny was training for Solis," said Otero, a Lucena native. "Now, I’m helping out Bobby. My specialties are tinola and sinigang na baka. Bobby likes green vegetables so I always have fresh veggies on the table. I even have ampalaya for him."
Gesta moved to Georgia with his Filipina manager Joy Ouano and former US Green Beret Terry Carter last year. Carter owns the Stonewall boxing stable of Cebu. "Gesta’s not ready to fight yet," said Koncz. "He’s a bantamweight but he weighs 137 right now. He’s working out at Wild Card and getting in shape."