Pacquiao’s big risk

Manny Pacquiao is only a whiff away from gaining a mandatory crack at the World Boxing Council (WBC) superbantamweight crown but if he loses to Tetsutora Senrima on Feb. 17, the General Santos City brawler can kiss his title hopes goodbye.

That’s why it’s a must-win situation for Pacquiao when he defends his WBC International 122-pound championship against Senrima at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The danger is Senrima, born in Japan to North Korean parents, could be the toughest fighter Pacquiao has met since turning pro in 1995.

In Pacquiao’s last bout, he survived a fourth round knockdown to stop durable Lebanese-born Australian Nedal Hussein on cuts in the 10th round. If Hussein was tough, Senrima is tougher.

Senrima, 31, has never been knocked out in compiling a 19-4-3 record, with 10 KOs. His four defeats were to Ken Arai, Akihito Nakajima, Archie Ano-os, and Setsuo Segawa — all on points. Senrima avenged the loss to Ano-os, a Filipino, by scoring a dramatic one-punch knockout in a rematch.

Japanese ring expert Joe Koizumi described Senrima as "a go-for-broke stylist (and) an iron-chinned banger (who) always shows a give-and-take battle and wears down his opponents with his persistent attack, no matter how much punishment he may absorb."

Koizumi warned Pacquiao not to take Senrima lightly. He said the Filipino is in for a "crisis" if Senrima can withstand his power and finish strong in the late rounds. Koizumi added that Senrima is known for his stamina.

Senrima is arriving from Kobe, his birthplace, tomorrow. Pacquiao is also flying into Manila tomorrow from Davao where he has been training the last two months. The word is Pacquiao is only two pounds over the superbantamweight limit and has been honed to razor-sharp sparring with lightweight Fernando Montilla.

Senrima has won 11 of his last 12 fights but is coming off a decision loss to Segawa in a Japanese superbantamweight title bout in Tokyo last November. He made his pro debut in 1990 — five years before Pacquiao — but was inactive in 1993 and 1994 before resuming his ring career.

Senrima’s biggest win so far was a fourth round stoppage of formerly world-rated Thai Thanomsak Sithbaobey who once fought Luisito Espinosa in a World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title match. Senrima, whose real name is Chulho Kan, also defeated two other Thais, Napa Kiatwanchai and Roongsurin Lookongchan.

Pacquiao is the WBC’s No. 3 contender and should move up the ladder if he beats Senrima convincingly. His record is 30-2, with 21 KOs. He has scored four straight knockouts since being stripped of the WBC flyweight title for failing to make the weight the night before losing to Medgeon 3-K Battery on a third round knockout in September 1999.

A shuffle in the WBC ratings is expected after No. 1 contender Oscar Larios of Mexico lost to superbantamweight champion Willie Jorrin of Sacramento, California, Jorrin has been ordered to stake the crown against No. 2 contender Michael Brodie of England. Pacquiao hopes to challenge the winner of the Jorrin-Brodie fight.

Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario said the fighter will go all out to beat Senrima by knockout. Senrima’s a clear threat and Pacquiao wants to be the first fighter to beat him inside the distance, added Nazario. Besides, Pacquiao is inspired. His wife Jinky gave birth to their first child – a boy – the other day.