Bobby Pacquiao: It will be a different fight!
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 17 May 2007
If Humberto Soto is looking past Bobby Pacquiao on their meeting at the Madison Square Garden in New York on June 9, 2007, he better think twice.
Pundits have it that Bob Arum matched the veteran Soto against Bobby Pacquiao as a precursor to a more interesting fight against Bobby’s brother, Manny sometime in the future.
But, judging from what I saw today at the Wildcard Gym, that may not happen at all. Bobby may well surprise everyone, particularly those who think that he does not have a prayer against Soto.
I have seen many of Bobby’s training sessions at the Wildcard Gym for his prior fights in the past. Nothing compares to what I saw today. Although I do not claim that I am an expert in assessing boxers, I know enough to know that this time Bobby is a different fighter!
Bobby sparred 8 full rounds against a taller and bigger opponent, David “Danger” Peligroso at the Wildcard today under the eagle eyes of good ole’ Freddie Roach. During the whole 8 rounds, I did not observe Bobby throw a single “low blow”. His jabs were crisper and his left hook strong as ever. Most importantly, the flaw he had with his right straight appeared to have been corrected and he used it extensively and effectively during the whole 8 rounds of sparring.
BobPac in sparring at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.
Top photo: BobPac (L) has been given instruction by Freddie Roach (C) as Michael Koncz (R) listens. All photos by Dr. Ed de la Vega.
And, there are still three weeks and three days before the big fight in New York!
I just hate to see what is in store for Soto when Roach finishes the training regimen and adopt the game plan for Bobby.
Stay tuned, the fight may well overshadow the Cotto-Judah main event.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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