Rachman to follow in Manny's footsteps?

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – Former IBF mininumweight champion Muhammad Rachman has no intention of becoming the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter like Manny Pacquiao but he hopes to follow in the Filipino icon’s footsteps as a legislator in government.

Rachman, 38, came back from a 16-month ring layoff to lose to Iloilo’s star-on-the-rise Denver Cuello via a ninth round technical knockout at a jampacked Mindanao State University gym here Saturday night.   

Like a proud warrior, Rachman refused to fall. He waited for Cuello to tire out and hoped his second wind would carry him through in the late rounds. But Cuello never wilted. And the second wind never came. Still, Rachman was on his feet when referee Bruce McTavish stepped in to halt the carnage. In another round or two, Rachman would’ve gone down for sure but McTavish didn’t want to risk unnecessary injury. While he suffered his first defeat by stoppage after 75 fights, Rachman has never been counted out off his feet.

Rachman reigned as IBF titlist in 2004-07, losing the crown to Romblon’s Florante Condes by split decision in Jakarta. He has beaten Filipinos Noel Tunacao, Ernesto Rubillar and Bert Batawang, among others, in compiling a record of 62-9-5, with 31 KOs, since turning pro in 1993 – when Cuello was only six years old.

Rachman couldn’t get on track against Cuello who was just too quick and too sharp. He was repeatedly beaten to the punch. A southpaw, Cuello landed a right straight on Rachman’s jaw and sent him back on his heels in the fifth round. Rachman tripped as he retreated, prompting a mandatory eight-count. The Indonesian was more embarrassed than hurt and quickly got up.

Rachman went to Cuello’s dressing room after the fight to congratulate the winner. He raised Cuello’s arm and said the Filipino would be the next WBC champion if Thailand’s Oleydong Sithsamerchai stakes his crown against him. Rachman lost to Oleydong on points in his previous fight.

Cuello’s manager Aljoe Jaro said he will attend the WBC convention in Cancun late next month to press for a ruling on Oleydong’s next defense. Jaro’s close friend Naris Singwangcha has offered to promote an Oleydong-Cuello WBC title fight in Bangkok but the Thai fighter is holding out.

Rachman said he will fight once more in Jakarta then retire to become a boxing promoter. He will continue his law studies at Putra Bangsa University and try his luck again in the next senatorial elections. Rachman lost in his first attempt as a senatorial candidate.

“Pacquiao lost in his first try to become congressman then won in his second attempt,” said Rachman, quoted by Jaro. “I lost in my first try but like Pacquiao, I will win in my second attempt.”

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The second youngest of six children, Cuello is the family breadwinner. He lost his mother Irene, who died of a stroke in 2007, under painful circumstances. Cuello’s mother seemed in good health when he left Iloilo to defend his Philippine 105-pound title against Rollen del Castillo in Binangonan. While training for Del Castillo, his mother passed away.

“It was two days before my fight and I couldn’t leave to go home,” said Cuello. “I kept crying. I promised to bring back the belt for her.” Cuello retained the title on a third round technical draw. He made it in time for his mother’s burial.

Cuello, who pocketed P100,000 for the Rachman bout, said he will pay for the tuition of his two brothers Denmark, 25, and Dizon, 21, and send them back to school. The two brothers left school because they had no money for tuition.

“Denver’s idol is Onyok Velasco,” said Cuello’s 56-year-old father Demetrio, a printing press operator at West Visayas University, in Pilipino. “When Onyok got the silver medal in the Olympics, Denver was 10 years old. He always wanted to be like Onyok. When he was 13, Denver started to train seriously. He’s a good son, very helpful, obedient and respectful.”

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McTavish, 69, is a New Zealand native who’s seeking Philippine citizenship by naturalization after living in the country for 43 years. He’s married to Carmen Tayag with two daughters Jean and Michelle and two grandchildren. The McTavish family lives in Angeles City.

McTavish’s naturalization was filed by Rep. Tarzan Lazatin three years ago but after Congress approved it, the bill was stalled during the Senate recess. It has since been re-filed by Lazatin. McTavish’s case was brought up last week but he wasn’t informed to be present.

“My wish is to be introduced in the WBC convention in Cancun next month as a Filipino, not a New Zealander,” said McTavish, a two-time Rotary past president whose pet project is feeding nearly 100 streetchildren in Angeles City every day. McTavish will conduct a seminar on officiating in Cancun. GAB boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz will also attend the convention as a member of the WBC medical commission.