Pacquiao foe known for dirty tricks

International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao expects the worst from notorious World Boxing Organization (WBO) titlist Agapito Sanchez when they square off in a scheduled 12-round unification bout at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on Nov. 10.

Sanchez is known for using illegal tactics in the ring and has a reputation of doing virtually anything to win. He’s a brawler who has no respect for the rules. When the referee isn’t looking, he’ll bang away below the belt and use his elbows, forearms, and head as weapons.

But Pacquiao says he’s prepared for war. If it’s a streetfight that Sanchez wants, Pacquiao vows to oblige.

"Matira ang matibay," declares Pacquiao.

On Tuesday, Pacquiao leaves Manila for Los Angeles with business manager Rod Nazario and associate Lito Mondejar. He was supposed to leave last Sunday with trainer Ben Delgado but delayed his departure.

Another trainer Buboy Fernandez will join Pacquiao in the US as soon as his US visa is issued. Pacquiao’s wife Jinky will not be able to make the trip because she is expecting their second child in November.

Former featherweight contender Freddie Roach will train Pacquiao in Los Angeles and work his corner in San Francisco. It was Roach who polished Pacquiao’s skills and prepared him for Lehlo Ledwaba last June. Pacquiao stopped Ledwaba in the sixth round to wrest the IBF crown in Las Vegas.

Nazario told The STAR yesterday that Pacquiao has sparred 52 rounds and is working himself into tip-top shape. He’s been beating up bigger sparmates like Edward Escriber, Marlon Limpiado, and Jun Elacion at the L&M gym in Sampaloc. Nazario said Pacquiao shouldn’t find it difficult to make the 122-pound limit. He weighed 128 in a mock weigh-in recently.

Nazario said Roach will apply the "finishing touches" in Pacquiao’s training. He likened it to a review in school.

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Pacquiao says Sanchez isn’t as talented as Ledwaba but is tougher. He has studied Sanchez’ style carefully in a tape of the Dominican Republic fighter’s seventh round disposal of Jorge Pabon Monsalvo last June. Sanchez fought Monsalvo on the same Las Vegas card where Pacquiao halted Ledwaba.

"Hindi magalaw ang ulo, kaya madaling tamaan," notes Pacquiao. "May bilis, may jab at may lakas. Ang kanyang pinakamatinding suntok ay yung kanan na galing sa buwan — balibag na suntok. ‘Yun ang pumatay kay Monsalvo."

Sanchez, 31, turned pro at the age of 19. In 1995, he battled rugged Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera for the WBO title in South Padre Island, Texas, and lost on points. But Sanchez, who was penalized twice for low blows, floored Barrera in the 12th round.

Hitting below the belt appears to be an integral part of Sanchez’ fightplan. In 1994, he was disqualified for low blows in a fight against Mauricio Diaz. In 1997, he was slapped a deduction for a low blow in losing a decision to Juan Manuel Marquez. A year later, Sanchez was penalized a point for a low blow in dropping a majority decision to former World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion Guty Espadas.

Sanchez has won his last 10 outings, including a fifth round knockout over WBC No. 2 featherweight Oscar Larios. His record is 33-7-1, with 20 Kos.

Not known to back down from any opponent. Sanchez has battled the likes of ex-world champions Cesar Soto and Freddie Norwood.

Sanchez is as rugged as they come. A scouting report from fight promoters described him as "a game, talented fighter who has become as notorious for his illegal tactics as for his ability … like to push forward and keep the pressure on … at his best, he works the body well at close range and is very effective with uppercuts." The report added that his strengths are punching power, guts, determination, a study chin — he takes a terrific shot.

Pacquiao, obviously, can’t afford to take Sanchez lightly.