"SUPERMAN WILL FLY AGAIN"
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 15 Sep 2016
"Lilipad uli si Superman (Superman will fly again)."
Those were the exact words uttered by Manny Pacquiao's assistant trainer and boyhood friend Buboy Fernandez two days after the the Filipino ring icon had announced his retirement following his easy disposing off then American World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Timothy Bradley last April.
Buboy told this writer, he was just quoting what his boss has said to him, his, brother Roger "Haplas," and fellow assistant trainer Nonoy Neri while they were arranging the training paraphernalia at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles in preparation for Team Pacquiao's departure for Manila.
"So right that very same day, we already realized that soon, Manny will be announcing he'll fight again," the portly assistant of head trainer Freddie Roach recalled last Tuesday during a lull in Pacquiao's training for his comeback fight against current WBO 147-pound belt-holder Jessie Vargas.
The eight-division champ and Vargas will square off for 12 rounds on November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas with the Mexican-American's 147-pound belt at stake.
"Reading between the lines, we knew that before the year ends, Manny will be climbing up that ring again to do the things he has loved doing the past two and-a-half-decades of his life," Buboy said.
"We weren't surprised really kasi sa tagal na ba naming magkakasama may maitatago pa ba naman kaming lihim sa isa't-isa? the newly-elected councilor in the town of Polangui in Albay Province said.
"Mahal na mahal ni Manny ang boksing. It's no secret naman na sa boksing siya nabuhay. And Boxing loves him so much, too. Everybody can see naman what boxing has done to him. With the help of Somebody up there, naging kampeon siya sa mundo hindi lamang isa kundi sampung beses. At sa walong dibisyon pa, " Buboy stressed, his finger pointing to the sky.
"Nobody in the history of boxing has done that yet. At sa tingin ko, despite the presence of the present day young and fresh talents, wala pang pwedeng makagawa ng nagawa ni Manny in the near future," Buboy asserted. "To do that, one has to start campaigning in the light-flyweight division then elevate to the higher levels."
"Nobody can stop Manny from fighting again. Gusto lamang niya, kumbaga, na ibalik sa boksing ang mga naibigay sa kanya ng sport of sweet science," Buboy remarked.
"That, coupled with the fact that he still is strong and as fast as before and with still plenty of gas in his tank will push him to lace his fighting gloves again," he said.
"And don't forget that if there's another thing Manny loves doing is, making people happy. Kaya nga what I can say is, fasten up your seat belt, because Superman is flying again and will continue soaring until he gets tired," Buboy said with a wide grin.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Tue, 01 Jul 2025CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
Tue, 01 Jul 2025Dumadag holds chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
By Ace Freeman, Mon, 30 Jun 2025DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
Mon, 30 Jun 2025Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Mon, 30 Jun 2025SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025