PROSPECT TO WATCH: RODOLFO 'THE STING' SUMABONG
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 26 Oct 2009
Sumabong.
He logged in as many miles running as Pacquiao during Pacquiao's recent training in Baguio and Manila because aside from Pacman, the dog, he is Pacquiao's constant companion traversing the hills of Baguio and the flat lands of Manila.
He was also side-by-side doing the mitts and other exercises when the pound-for-pound king was doing his regular routine during Pacquiao's camp in the Philippines.
In Japan, he decked Japanese WBA superfly champion Nabuo Nashiro and hurt WBC bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa when he was hired as their sparring partner.
He was set to spar with WBO superfly champion Marvin Sonsona in Baguio but the recent destructive typhoons prevented that from happening and the duo will probably duke it out in Cebu instead.
He is Wakee Salud's and MP Promotions' best kept secret. But no longer.
Currently sporting a 7-0-0 (3KO) record, meet 19-year-old Rodolfo Sumabong, born and raised in the historic island of Mactan, Cebu where the great local chieftain Lapu-lapu, successfully thwarted Spain's initial attempt to colonize the islands, by slaying the legendary Ferdinand Magellan.
The 4th child of a brood of six, the lanky flyweight standing at 5'7” was aptly dubbed as 'The Sting' because of his stiff jabs and fast feet in the mold of the great Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard.
“Roach fell in love with him,” Salud proudly stated. “Barring any problem with his US visa application, he will see action in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight on Nov. 14.”
“He has a long way to go. He is young. But he is a good boxer. I think he will get there,” Roach, who is very selective of who to train, commented of Sumabong.
Venerable boxing guru Freddie Roach (L) gives pointers to Sumabong (R) as Buboy Fernandez looks on at the Gerry Penalosa Boxing Gym on Oct. 24.
Pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao (L) watches as Roach and Fernandez work on Sumabong at the Gerry Penalosa Boxing Gym on Oct. 24.
Photos by Dong Secuya.
Being the only one who was able to keep pace with Pacquiao's daily grind in Baguio, Sumabong said he has been transformed as a boxer by being with the camp of the pound-for-pound king. “He (Pacquiao) told me to always persevere, not to ever back out, until you get there. The hills of Baguio were tough but I was able to conquer them because of Manny.”
Pacquiao assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez will be in Sumabong's corner on November 14.
Asked if he does not feel jittery by having his U.S. debut in such a big event, Sumabong calmly said, “After what I went through in Manny's camp and by having coach Freddie, Buboy, and others with me, I am ready for anyone.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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