Pacquiao stops Thai in first round

DAVAO CITY — In a devastating display of two-fisted power, International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao blasted Thai challenger Fahprakorb Rakkiat-Gym into submission at 2:46 of the first round in his third title defense before a wildly cheering crowd of 5,000 at the jampacked Rizal Memorial Colleges gym here last night.

Pacquiao, 22, hardly worked up a sweat as he whacked Fahprakorb with a right cross to score the first knockdown early in the opening round. Then a left uppercut sent the Thai down for another mandatory eight-count. A flurry floored Fahprakorb for a third trip to the canvas. Finally, a left straight closed the curtains on the Thai who lay prostrate for at least five minutes as ringside physician Dr. Nasser Cruz made sure he could walk on his own.

Under the IBF unified championship rules, the three knockdown rule was not in effect. New Zealand referee Bruce McTavish said after the massacre, it should’ve been in force because the fourth fall proved to be the most damaging.

"I hesitated to stop it after the third knockdown because Fahprakorb was fighting back but I knew it was just a matter of time," said McTavish. "If the three knockdown rule was in effect, I would’ve stopped it and Fahprakorb would’ve been spared from more punishment."

Dr. Cruz sent Fahprakorb to the Davao Doctors Hospital for an examination. He said the Thai suffered a concussion and had to be checked. Dr. Cruz recommended an overnight stay in the hospital.

North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte organized the 70-round card with a colorful flair to showcase the South as a window of opportunity for foreign investors and an attraction for foreign tourists.

Before the main event, an ethnic dance troupe performed in and around the ring to highlight Mindanao culture. Pacquiao was brought to the ring on top of a platform, held up by supporters, wearing a Bogobo gown and Muslim-inspired shorts. The pre-fight extravaganza lasted more than the fight itself.

Fahprakorb, 27, was a sitting duck for Pacquiao. The Thai hardly moved his feet and tried to stave off the Filipino with a jab-straight attack. But Pacquiao walked through Fahprakorb’s blows and mercilessly unleashed an assault reminiscent of his two-round demolition of Jorge Julio in the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson undercard in Memphis last June.

When it was all over, Pacquiao said he didn’t expect the fight to end so soon, particularly as he had prepared long and hard for the mandatory defense against the top contender. But in an afterthought, he noted that if a fighter is well-prepared, he will not find it difficult to win.

Pacquiao said he was never hurt by the Thai who managed to land a few punches before succumbing. He said he was powered by the delicious tuna of Mindanao and pointed to Fahprakorb’s slow-motion style as the cause of the early stoppage.

"Si Fahprakorb, kung sumuntok sa Lunes, darating pa sa Biyernes," he joked.

Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario said visiting IBF supervisor and ratings committee chief Daryl Peoples, who flew in from the US, would’ve wanted to see more of the champion. Peoples said he watched Pacquiao dispose of Julio in two rounds and now, Fahprakorb in one.

Nazario said Pacquiao will likely make his next defense in the US where the likes of Clarence (Bones) Adams, Paulie Ayala, Tim Austin, Johnny Tapia and Marco Antonio Barrera are waiting in line.

If he could choose, Nazario picked either Adams or Ayala, both former world champions, as Pacquiao’s next opponent.

Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Eduardo Villanueva, watching at ringside, said Pacquiao’s performance was impressive. "The hard work is paying off," he noted. "I know Manny works very hard in the gym. He’s disciplined. I’m surprised that he has developed a strong right to go with his powerful left."

Pacquiao said he purposely worked on adding power to his right because Fahprakorb is a southpaw.

The loss broke Fahprakorb’s unbeaten streak of 32 fights since 1993. For his efforts, the Thai was paid $25,000. Pacquiao’s purse was a cool P8 million.

In the undercard, former World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight titlist Gregorio (Goyo) Vargas of Mexico halted upstart Christopher Saluday at 1:30 of the fifth round.

Saluday, 23, surprised the fans by standing up to Vargas’ body punching and taking the fight to the Mexican in the early going. He showed little respect for the visitor who has gone the distance with such world champions as John-John Molina, Kevin Kelley, and Floyd Mayweather. Both fighters traded bombs until Vargas’ body blows began to take their roll.

With Saluday’s legs starting to shake, Vargas moved in for the kill. As Vargas trapped Saluday into a corner, referee Jimmy Butalid stepped in after the Filipino’s manager Roger Sumampong signaled surrender. Dr. Cruz later said he advised Sumampong to raise the white flag to save the big-hearted Saluday from further punishment.

"Saluday has nothing to be ashamed of," said Dr. Cruz. "He gave it his all. He’s got a bright career ahead and he’s very young. It was useless to allow Vargas to punish him some more."

Vargas, celebrating his 32nd birthday today, was invited by Gov. Piñol to appear in a proposed card in Kidapawan in December. He said he will agree to another warm-up fight before challenging WBC superfeatherweight champion Sirmongkol Singmanassak.

In other bouts, Philippine superbantamweight champion Jimrex Jaca pounded out a unanimous 8-round decision over Vihok Jockey-Gym of Thailand, junior featherweight Arnel Porras got up from a second round knockdown to outpoint veteran Dondon Lapuz in six, and Sydney Olympic quarterfinalist Danilo Lerio scored a unanimous four-round decision over Philip Parcon.