Pacquiao Makes Weight, Faces Dangerous Trejo
By Winchell Campos
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 23 Nov 2007
CABAZON, CA?Minus the usual kibitzers, opportunists and hangers-on that usually hound his popular brother Manny every time he fights in the US, Bobby Pacquiao spent a quiet and almost insignificant Thanksgiving dinner at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa yesterday, making the weight limit and vowing to win his next fight Friday here.
Coming from back-to-back losses, the younger of the two fearless Pacquiao brothers seeks to gain back star status against dangerous Fernando ?El Pillo? Trejo, the Mexican ?Thief? who lives in Texas.
After winning three straight significant fights prior to his successive losses to Hector Velazquez and Humberto Soto in the last year, there used to be a small cult-like, sub-Manny Pacquiao culture following for ?The Sniper,? a group of people who have tried to ride on the crest of his personal success and popularity.
Gone are those days when people would visit him train at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, even for token support. Gone too are the usual requests for tickets, even if it pales in comparison from the ones that plague Manny every fight.
When he beat Carlos Navarro, Carlos ?Famoso? Hernandez and Kevin Kelley in that order to gain growing popularity, Pacquiao had the usual ?entourage,? people who would nudge each other out so they could be seen on TV by climbing up the ring or on their way to get nearer to his brother Manny.
His pre-fight preparations have gone almost unnoticed and his fight at a catch weight of 133 pounds lacked the usual hype even though he is facing a seasoned fighter in Trejo, a fighter who has beaten the likes of Jose Armando Sta. Cruz, who got robbed of a world title recently, among many others.
During Thanksgiving dinner, he was with his wife Lorelie and manager Michael Koncz, boxer-friend-turned-masseuse Rodel Mayol and supporter Wendell Cunanan, among others.
The only time people tried to show ?support? for Bobby was when a supposed backer tried to solicit and let him sign a behest contract to gain ?exclusive? rights to promotional opportunities.
Pacquiao has 27 wins (12 by KOs) with 13 defeats and 3 draws. Trejo?s record is 30 wins (18 by KO) and 12 losses but a lot of tough opponents and contenders have to go through him for a rite of passage. Trejo, the former NABF lightweight title holder, lost to unbeaten Urbano Antillon by split decision, a loss that was close throughout.
He has gone 5-1 since and continues to hound the ranks of super-featherweights despite being 33 years old.
During the weigh-in, Pacquiao stripped down to meet the catch weight of 133 pounds, taking the one-pound allowable cushion, while Trejo easily tipped in at 133. Trejo enjoys a two-inch height and reach advantage but Pacquiao is unfazed and ready to go all out.
?Alam ko na kapag natalo ako dito medyo mahihirapan na ako makakuha ng malalaking laban kaya ibubuhos ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko ditto,? said the 26-year-old Pacquiao.
?Sana, ipagpatuloy pa rin ng ating mga kababayan na ipagdasal ako para manalo at sisikapin kong mabigyan ng karangalan an gating bansa,? added Pacquiao.
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