By Ronnie Nathanielsz
RP super featherweight champion and Orient Pacific Boxing Federation No. 1 contender Bobby Pacquiao who left for Thailand yesterday with the members of Team Pacquiao headed by Rod Nazario said he is eager to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious elder brother Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquaio, when he steps into the ring against IBF Pan Pacific featherweight champion and IBF world No. 3 ranked Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym on February 18 in Pattaya, Thailand.
In his final workout a day before his departure, Pacquiao looked sharp and according to his trainer Nonoy Neri was in "good condition and punching harder than ever before." Pacquiao who has a record of 21-8 with 9 knockouts is regarded as a "technically superior fighter compared to Manny" according to Nazario but he has yet to match "the courage, fighting heart and dedication in training" shown by his elder brother. Bobby Pacquiao who spent one month under trainer Freddie Roach at his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles made his US debut with an impressive, lopsided eight round decision over veteran Oscar Villa whom he decked in the fifth round showing traces of the devastating punching power of Manny Pacquiao, the "People's Champion".
Nazario earlier said the 28 year old Pacquiao's punching power "has improved by thirty percent." He has made Dennis Laurente, the OPBF welterweight champion and Renato Inal, the former super featherweight champion feel his new-found punching power during sparring sessions at the Elorde Gym in Sucat, Paranaque. Nazario said a victory over Fahprakorb who was knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in October 2002 would move Bobby Pacquiao into the world rankings and give him added confidence as he strives to try and duplicate the achievements of his superstar brother. The Pacquiao-Fahprakorb title fight, sponsored by San Miguel Corporation and Smart will be telecast over RPN 9 on February 27 at 1:00 p.m.
