Fahprakob a dangerous foe

Take it from veteran referee Bruce McTavish.

Thai challenger Fahprakob Sithkuanin Rakkiatgym is a dangerous opponent for International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao.

McTavish, a New Zealander who has lived in the Philippines over 30 years, was the third man in the ring when Fahprakob halted Australian Barry Sewell at 1:46 of the fourth round to retain the World Boxing Federation (WBF) bantamweight crown in Thailand in 1996.

Fahprakob floored Sewell twice in the third round and was in complete control of the bout when McTavish stepped in. McTavish said he stopped it to prevent Sewell from absorbing more punishment.

"After the third round, I asked Sewell whether he could continue the fight and he told me, "It’s up to you," recounted McTavish. "So I let him continue but I had to stop the fight during the next round on seeing that he could no longer protect himself."

WBF Asia-Pacific supervisor Jack Rennie of Australia said Fahprakob’s strong left hand did much of the damage.

McTavish will be the referee when Pacquiao makes the third defense of his IBF crown against Fahprakob in Davao City on Oct. 26.

"Fahprakob has a lot of skills and is a polished boxer," said McTavish. "He can hit hard but I’m not sure if he can take Manny’s power. He’s got good footwork and he has the ability to keep away from Manny. He’s a dangerous opponent."

A southpaw, Fahprakob is tall for a 122-pound fighter and has unusually long arms, which suit his style of jabbing from a distance. He turned pro in 1992 after a short Muay Thai kickboxing career and hasn’t lost in his last 32 outings. His record is 37-2 with 23 knockouts. In his most recent fight last March, Fahprakob disposed of Mohamed Cifota in two rounds.

"We are confident of beating Pacquiao wherever–even in his home country," said Fahprakob’s manager Jimmy Chaichotchuang, quoted by Paul Upham in the boxing website secondsout.com. "Pacquiao knows Thai boxing well and he knows how tough Fahprakob will be in the ring. Fahprakob has proved himself in the ring against many opponents. He is looking forward to winning the IBF title. It will be a great fight. Pacquiao and Fahprakob have many fans in their countries and it will be a big fight for both Thailand and the Philippines."

Fahprakob, 27, has lost only twice in his career–to Saohin Sorthanikul and Hadao CP Gym, both Thais, on points. The setbacks came in his first seven bouts. In 1994, Fahprakob captured the WBF bantamweight title via a 12-round decision over Boualem Belkif of Algeria. He made seven successful defenses then moved up to the junior featherweight or superbantamweight class.

In 1999, Fahprakob decisioned Adrian Kaspari of Indonesia to annex the IBF Intercontinental 122-pound title. He has since repulsed four straight challengers.

Last year, Fahprakob ventured overseas to advance his career. He outpointed Nestor Farias of Argentina in South Africa and Anthony Hanna in England. Unafraid to fight on hostile soil, Fahprakob had previously seen action in Indonesia, whipping hometowners Bugiarso and Augus Ekajaya on lopsided decisions. So Fahprakob isn’t intimidated fighting Pacquiao on Philippine territory.

Fahprakob, who is guaranteed $20,000 for challenging Pacquiao, has claimed four Filipino victims so far–Dodong Virtudazo, Rolando Pritos, Bobby Rabanos, and Rolly Carlo.

Pacquiao has faced five Thais since making his pro debut in 1995. He knocked out Chokchai Chokwiwat, Tanompdej Singwangchai, Chatchai Sasakul, and Kumanpetch Kiatvoraphong but was stopped by Medgeon 3-K Battery in losing the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title in 1999. Pacquiao’s record is 34-2-1, with 25 knockouts.