Buboy predicts knockout

LAS VEGAS – This fight won’t last the distance.

That’s the scenario Pinoy trainer Buboy Fernandez saw when he gazed at his crystal ball heading to Saturday’s big event at the T-Mobile Arena.

“Sa first round, gusto ko yung bakbakan agad,” said the boxing figure and now vice mayor of Polangui, a municipality in the province of Albay.

Manny Pacquiao, according to Fernandez, will have in front of him an opponent who loves to engage and stand toe-to-toe.

“Not unless hindi kaya dalin ni Ugas yung lakas ng ating Pambansang Kamao,” said Fernandez.

He’d seen it a thousand times when Pacquiao’s opponents promised fireworks but ended up riding  bicycles inside the ring.

“Miss na miss na natin yung hindi tumatakbo ang kalaban,” added Fernandez, without naming names.

“Kaya tumbahan ito. Sigurado yan,” he said on the sides of Wednesday’s final press conference at the MGM Grand Garden.

Pacquiao and his Cuban foe, last-minute substitute Yordenis Ugas, warmed themselves up for the WBA (super) welterweight title showdown.

They fielded questions from up the stage, and later on were asked to pose before the cameras. At that moment, the two boxers were the only ones not wearing a mask inside the arena.

For 10 seconds, they were eye-to-eye, with their own versions of the WBA belt hanging from their shoulders.

The Filipino senator, in a dark gray suit, made no mention of a knockout but said he’s happy to be fighting once again after a two-year absence.

Pacquiao has worked hardest in training for Saturday’s show, the big bulk of which focused on beating WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.

But the unexpected happened when Spence found out he had a torn retina in his left eye during a mandatory medical, and had to pull out of the fight.

“I’m just happy doing this,” said Pacquiao.

“I feel young,” he added, and when the female emcee said, “42 years young,” the boxer cut her off, saying, “Sorry, I’m 24.”

Whether he’s young or old, as a boxer, will be known soon.