By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Fahsan 3K Battery vowed yesterday to shock Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao and stun Filipino fight fans by knocking out their national treasure when they clash in an IBF eliminator tomorrow at an open air arena at The Fort in a
blockbuster fight card titled "Yanig sa Taguig" sponsored by SMART, Talk N' Text and Solar Sports with Discovery Suites serving as host to the fight personalities.
Speaking through his manager Jimmy Chaichotchuang who acted as interopreter Fahsan said he is "sorry to disappoint the Filipinos and Manny Pacquiao because I will beat him by knockout." Fahsan said " I trained for two months, sparred 90 rounds, am in great shape and ready to stand and fight" discounting reports that he would hit-and-run in the early rounds to stay out of range of the awesome punches of Pacquiao.
Pacquiao smiled as Fahsan spoke after which the Thai fighter who is known as a "Destroyer of Filipinos" for having beaten 22 of them, most of them by knockout, went over and shook his hand at the well-attended pre-fight press conference. Trainer Freddie Roach told Viva Sports/Manila Standard "Fahsan talks a good fight but let's see what he brings on Saturday" even as he expressed quiet confidence in Pacquiao and stressed "Manny is just too quick and too strong" for Fahsan although he conceded that the Thai was "a tough little guy, durable and one who has some power."
Famed cut-man and trainer Lenny de Jesus who flew in yesterday morning to work Pacquiao’s corner along with Roach and Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez said jokingly, "I'm here to stitch up Fahsan after Manny bloodies and beats him up." De Jesus said that after he disposes of Fahsan he was confident that Pacquiao will avenge the controversial draw against WBA/IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez in their rematch scheduled for February 26 saying "Manny will knock him out."
Roach said Pacquiao shadow boxed, skipped rope and worked on the speed ball yesterday as he tapered off for his first fight before a hometown crowd since his devastating eleventh round knockout over Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio, Texas on November 15, 2003.
Roach said Pacquiao weighed 127 pounds and would have no trouble making the featherweight limit at the official weigh-in at 10:00 a.m. today at the 2nd Floor of the Forbes Town Center, 26th Street corner Rizal Drive at The Fort. Both international promoter Murad Muhammad and Roach scuttled rumors that Pacquiao was going to carry Fahsan because "there is inherent danger in that. Manny will take him out the moment he sees an opening. Roach predicted that Pacquiao will use his right hook which he is developing in time for the Marquez rematch more often and not depend solely on his thundering left straight. However, Roach revealed that Fahsan drops his hands when he throws his right and Pacquiao would probably finish him off with his vaunted left.
Roach called on Filipino boxing fans to come out in full force and support Pacquiao who is "the most exciting featherweight in the world today." Murad for his part said "you have to show the world and the Mexicans in particular that the Filipinos support Pacquiao just as they support Barrera, Marquez and Morales."
