By Ronnie Nathanielsz
An overseas telephone call from Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao to younger brother and Philippine super featherweight champion Bobby Pacquiao on the eve of his title fight against IBF Pan Pacific featherweight champion Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym apparently didn't help as Bobby was knocked out in the ninth round in the beautiful resort city of Pattaya, Thailand on Friday.
Rod Nazario who is the business manager of Manny Pacquiao and manager of Bobby told Viva Sports/Manila Standard in an overseas telephone conversation right after the fight ended that Fakprakorb used a stinging lefy jab throughout to frustrate Pacquiao and keep him at bay. Nazario said Pacquiao "couldn't do anything and the Thai champion controlled the fight most of the way."
Nazario reported that midway in the ninth round Fahprakorb dropped Pacquiao with three solid punches to the body and the Filipino champion who is also rated No. 1 by the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation didn't beat the count. There were reports that Pacquiao was not in top shape and the punches that decked him were not solid.
The younger Pacquiao has been described as "lazy" when it comes to training which is unlike his brother Manny who is one of the most dedicated and focused fighters in training. Besides, Bobby is nowhere near his superstar brother when it comes to courage and a ighting heart and also lacks the devastating punching power of Manny.
With the loss Pacquiao dropped to 21-9-3 with 9 KO' while Fakprakoprb improved to 47-3 with 30 knockouts and appears once again in line for a world title shot since he is currently rated No. 3 by the IBF. Fakprakorb who was annihilated by Manny Pacquiao in October 2002 in an IBF super bantamweight title fight in Davao City when he was knocked out in the first round after being dropped four times has said he is eyeing a rematch with the Ring Magazine champion but that seems unlikely at present.