GALLANT BOBBY KO’D IN BLOODY RING WAR
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 10 Jun 2007
Bobby Pacquiao fought the fight of his life in a gallant effort against WBC super featherweight No.2 ranked Humberto Soto but was eventually knocked out in the seventh round of a bloody ring war at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden, yesterday.
As his more illustrious older brother, Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao watched helplessly after leading him into the ring along with celebrated trainer Freddie Roach, Bobby Pacquiao made a heroic effort to try and get the tough Soto out of the equation as a possible next opponent for Manny but the Mexican proved too tough and too durable.
Soto who hasn’t lost a fight in the last five years dropped Pacquiao in the opening round but the Filipino southpaw appeared to get hit at the back of the head and was off-balance when he went down.
In what the respected website Boxing Scene described as a “very entertaining fight with both men brawling often” Soto landed some vicious punches but Pacquiao was able to stay on his feet and actually came back with some solid shots of his own.
Early in round four Pacquiao staggered Soto with a stunning right and after a good combination the southpaw cracked Soto with another big right hand but Soto, realizing that everything was on the line including a big payday against the Boxing Writers Association and Ring Magazine “Fighter of the Year” Manny Pacquiao, fought back and nailed Pacquiao with a couple of mean uppercuts towards the end of round four. There were raised voices in Soto’s corner for the first time indicating some concern.
The American television commentators who did the fight on the Solar Sports telecast over RPN 9 commended Pacquiao for his great spirit and effort but clearly Soto whose body punching continued to sap the energy of Pacquiao appeared to be in control. Every time Pacquiao who appeared to be fighting desperately since he couldn’t see out of his right eye hurt Soto, the Mexican came back with a vengeance.
A cracking right straight rocked the head of Pacquiao and as the game Filipino reeled back Soto dug a monster left hook to the body that sent Pacquiao down to be counted out at 1:48 of round seven. Pacquiao took some time to catch his breath and when he was helped back to his corner Soto went over to congratulate him for his commendable performance. At the end of a furious sixth round the packed Madison Square Garden ground were up on their feet applauding both fighters.
Soto improved to 42-5-2 with 26 knockouts while Pacquiao dropped to 27-13-3 with 12 KO’s.
Former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa even before the fight described Soto as "one of the best fighters in the world" in the super featherweight division. Penalosa said he liked to watch Soto "besides Manny (Pacquiao) of course."
Penalosa said he believes Top Rank promoter Bob Arum's plan was to pit Soto against Pacquiao since he handles both fighters and wont have any problems making the fight unlike if he attempted to get a fighter under the aegis of arch rivals Golden Boy Promotions. Penalosa said "if Soto fights Manny it will make an instant impact even though Manny is not afraid."
Top photo caption: Bobby Pacquiao, of the Philippines, braces for a punch from Humberto Soto, of Mexico, during the fifth round of boxing action Saturday, June 9, 2007 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Pacquiao lost the fight with a 7th round TKO. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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