Can the Sniper shoot down the Bomber?
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 05 Aug 2006
Bobby “The Sniper” Pacquiao’s remarkable career turnaround will have another gripping episode if and when he squares off with former IBF super featherweight champion Robbie "The Bomber" Peden. The Australian was quoted in Ringtalk as saying that he wants the fight really bad. There seems to be no hindrance for this potentially explosive match up to actually happen.
The 32 year old Australian has not fought since September 2005 when he lost his title to Marco Antonio Barrera in a unification showdown. He turned pro in 1996 and has compiled a record of 25 wins (14 ko's) and 3 losses. He won the vacant IBF title by stopping Nate Campbell in 8 rounds last February 2005.
Other notable fights include a tenth round TKO loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2002. Peden stated in an interview with boxingscene last year that he was not 100 percent for that fight as he caught a virus but he did not want to cancel the fight. Peden beat Hector Velasquez by 9th round TD in 2001. He also beat Carlos Rios by 12 round split decision in 2000. That’s the same Rios that lost to Luisito Espinosa in that infamous title defense in Koronadal.
Peden also represented Australia in two Olympic games. He was a Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist in 1994. Peden is really more of a boxer than a puncher. He has a decent chin and good balance. He is known for piling up points with sharp combinations while going the distance. The Bomber definitely has the better pedigree and the edge in the quality of opposition.
Bobby’s fourth round stoppage of Kevin Kelley in Madison Square Garden gained him a lot of media mileage in the U.S. His fight record (W27-L11-D3/12KO) on paper is not intimidating. But the southpaw Sniper has shown vast improvement in his boxing arsenal under the tutelage of Freddie Roach. In a recent interview at secondsout.com, Roach said that Bobby could win a world title. A victory over Peden will certainly pave the way for a title shot.
But Peden, unlike Kelley, is not running on rethreads. He is definitely more mobile and has big fight experience. He will also be the third ex-champ in a row that Pacquiao will face. The question of whether Bobby is just on some freakish stroke of luck or really a menacing late bloomer will be answered in this fight.
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