Unbeaten Aussie tests Pacquiao's mettle

It won’t be a picnic for World Boxing Council (WBC) international superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao, that’s for sure. He’s up against unbeaten Nadel Hussein who, says his trainer Jeff Fenech, has a kick like a mule and is the hardest puncher he’s ever seen.

Apparently, Fenech, a former triple world titlist, isn’t impressed by Pacquiao. Last year, he was in Todd Makelin’s corner when Pacquiao knocked out the Fil-Australian visitor in the third round in Kidapawan. If Fenech didn’t think Hussein could beat Pacquiao, he wouldn’t have agreed to the fight at the Ynares Center in Antipolo tonight.

"We’re very confident of winning," said Fenech, quoted by Adrian Warren in The Fist Magazine.

Hussein, nicknamed "Skinny" because of his lean frame, isn’t afraid of Pacquiao who has stopped his last three opponents in a total of only seven rounds – that’s an average of less than three rounds each. He’s beaten six Filipinos so far in compiling an unblemished record of 19-0, with 11 knockouts. Among his victims were Edgar Maghanoy, Max Barro, and Roberto Ruiz.

But one Filipino – Allan Visayas – nearly bowled over Hussein in their bout two years ago. Visayas floored Hussein in the third round, failed to finish him off, and was stopped in the eighth. That was probably Hussein’s closest brush to losing.

Last March, Hussein easily outpointed Brian Carr to wrest the British Commonwealth title in Glasgow. English writer Gavin Evans said the Lebanese-born Australian never had Carr in trouble.

"My impression of Hussein is that he’s awkward, accurate, dirty and that he can box a bit and punch a bit," wrote Evans. That’s fair warning for Pacquiao who’s got to adjust to Hussein’s unorthodox style. Against Carr, Hussein was repeatedly warned by referee Mark Green for punching on the break and headbutting.

Writer John Morrison noted that Hussein had difficulty fighting Carr because of the Scot’s southpaw style. That’s good news for the left-handed Pacquiao.

Hussein is known as a body blaster – he likes to slam the midsection to set up his opponents for the kill. That’s bad news for Pacquiao whose weakness is a soft belly.

After beating Carr, Hussein took on highly-regarded Nathan Sting and scored a first round knockout in Sydney last April. It was Hussein’s seventh career first round knockout win since turning pro in 1997.

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Last year, Hussein outpointed Kongthawat Orathai-gym to capture the World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior featherweight crown. He’d previously won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Pan Pacific title.

Daniel Herbert of Boxing News described Hussein as "the real thing" because "Fenech wouldn’t waste his time on no-hopers."

Hussein 22, is in excellent physical shape for Pacquiao. He’s ready to go the 12- round distance. Hussein lists football, running and squash as his hobbies so he ought to be fit. His plan is to push Pacquiao to the limit and test his stamina in the late rounds.

In last Wednesday’s press preview, Hussein and matchmaker Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde exchanged harsh words. Hussein initially refused to spar and cursed Elorde for forcing him to put on the gloves. The Australian eventually sparred with Jong Wan Kim of Korea but fought listlessly – careful not to show too much of what he’s got in store for Pacquiao.

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As for Pacquiao, he’s raring to rumble. He’s in line for a crack at the IBF junior featherweight title held by South African Benedict (Lehlo) Ledwaba. If he survives Hussein, Pacquiao will face Simeon Ramoni in Johannesburg next month for the right to challenge Ledwaba. So Pacquiao can’t afford to lose to Hussein.

Pacquiao, 21, packs a 29-2 record, with 20 knockouts. Hussein is his third Australian opponent after Makelin and Sydney-based Filipino transplant Arnel Barotillo.

In the undercard, WBC International minimumweight champion Manny Melchor stakes his crown against Zarlit Rodrigo and Randy Mangubat meets Kim for the vacant WBC International flyweight diadem.