By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Thailand's Fahsang 3K Battery, rated No. 4 super bantamweight by the IBF , said yesterday he was "very confident" of beating Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao in their December 11 showdown titled "Yanig sa Taguig" at the open air arena opposite MC Home Depot at The Fort in Taguig.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard from Bangkok, Fahsang, speaking through his manager Jimmy Chaichotchuang said he was "in very good condition, perfect condition" after a sparring session with WBO International featherweight champion Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym who was knocked out in the first round by Pacquiao in an IBF super bantamweight title fight in October 2002 in Davao City.
Chaichotchuang said Fahprakorb who has had a winning streak after the loss to Pacquiao has improved tremendously and is himself ready to avenge his defeat but said that his stable-mate Fahsang 3K Battery will get the job done in the blockbuster fight card sponsored by SMART, Talk N' Text and Solar Sports with the support of Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga. The Thai fighter, regarded as a "Destroyer of Filipinos" following his victories over more than 20 Filipino boxers, with fifty percent by knockouts, is expected to arrive in Manila five or six days before the eagerly awaited battle.
Pacquiao himself began sparring with Philippine lightweight champion Fernando Montilla at the Almendras Gym in Davao City last Monday and indicated he was not taking Fahsang for granted. Pacquiao's Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez who returned from LA last weekend flew to Davao City yesterday to supervise Pacquiao's training until American trainer Freddie Roach arrives to handle the final phase of the flamboyant southpaw's preparation. Team Pacquiao is also looking ahead at the February 26 rematch with WBA/IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez which has been confirmed by HBO Sports and is posted on its website.
Fight fans are also looking forward to seeing Pacquiao's younger brother Bobby, the Philippine super featherweight champion and Orient Pacific Boxing Federation No. 1 who trained for two months at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles in action against hard-hitting Dexter Delada in a title defense. Pacquiao is coming off an impressive eighth round unanimous decision over Mexican veteran Oscar Villa in Montecello, California. Also featured on the undercard is Philippine and Orient Pacific Boxing Federation No. 1 ranked super flyweight Z "The Dream" Gorres who impressed Roach during a one month training stint in his gym. International promoter Murad Muhammad was keen on lining up a Mexican or Argentine opponent for Gorres in order to test his mettle. However, no deal has been finalized as yet.
