Pacquiao in for rough sailing tonite

International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao laughed off Serikzhan Yeshmagambetov’s prediction of a knockout win but said he’s not taking the Kazakhstan stylist lightly in their scheduled 10-round bout at the Rizal Park tonight. Yeshmagambetov, 30, vowed to dispose of Pacquiao in the third round during a press conference at the National Sports Grill in Makati the other day. Speaking little English, the Kazakh managed a few words to convey his threatening message to Pacquiao–"Serik, third round, KO."

Pacquiao, 24, was hardly shaken by Yeshmagambetov’s forecast. He said his previous opponents also had bold predictions but wound up lying on the canvas, eating their words.

Asked if Pacquiao’s vaunted power was a cause for concern, the soft-spoken Kazakh said, "No problem." He didn’t elaborate. Yeshmagambetov’s agent Danny Leigh, who flew in from Brisbane last Wednesday, told The Star the Kazakh is known for his durability, courage, and heart. "Of course, Manny is favored–he’s the world champ and he’s fighting before his countrymen," said Leigh who contracted Yeshmagambetov for the bout. "But I’m not ruling out an upset. If Manny isn’t in top shape, he’ll be in trouble. Serik wants to win badly and he can do it if Manny doesn’t take him seriously."Pacquiao admitted he hasn’t seen Yeshmagambetov in action. So he’s fighting an opponent without the benefit of scouting his strengths and weaknesses. In contrast, Leigh said Yeshmagambetov has carefully studied Pacquiao’s style in videotapes.

Leigh intimated that Yeshmagambetov plans to fight Pacquiao like Nadel Hussein did two years ago. Hussein, an Australian of Lebanese descent, floored Pacquiao in the fourth round and proved a tough nut to crack until he was stopped on cuts in the 10th. Leigh said Yeshmagambetov has worn out a tape of the Pacquiao-Hussein fight in figuring out how to beat the Filipino.

"Serik’s style is unique," said Leigh who is the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific representative. "He doesn’t fight like a European or an American. He’s a cool, very relaxed fighter. He’s not a standing target. He likes to stick and move. He’s a technician. It won’t be easy hitting him. More than anything else, he’s durable. He can take a punch."

Leigh said last September, Yeshmagambetov arrived in Sydney to face Jackson Asiku for the WBO Asia-Pacific featherweight title on the day of the fight because the offer came at short notice. Surprisingly, the rugged Kazakh extended the undefeated Asiku to the limit in losing a 12-round decision. The showing earned for Yeshmagambetov his reputation of durability.

But Pacquiao said the talk of Yeshmagambetov’s durability is a lot of hot air. "Okay daw tumanggap ng suntok sa panga," he noted. "Paano kung bugbugin ko siya sa sikmura? Palagay ko, bibigay." A body attack is what Pacquiao has in mind for Yeshmagambetov if his jaw is as solid as it’s reputed to be.

Yeshmagambetov, who idolizes Muhammad Ali and lists world champions Vassiliy Jirov and Kotsya Tszyu as his close friends, isn’t intimidated by Pacquiao’s reputation. Leigh said it’s the chance of a lifetime for Yeshmagambetov to fight someone of Pacquiao’s caliber and a win will open up doors for the Kazakh who is married to a former ballet dancer Aigul (meaning sunflower) and has a one-year-old son Edil.

Yeshmagambetov’s trainer Oleg Kovalchuk said the odds for the fight are 50-50.

"Serik is well-prepared for the fight," said Leigh, an Australian whose wife is Ukranian. "In Kazakhstan, it’s freezing cold. In Manila, it’s pleasant so the weather suits him fine. This is a big test for Manny because he’s fighting as a featherweight and Serik is a natural featherweight. I’m wondering if Manny will be as strong as he was as a superbantamweight."

The weight cap for the fight is 127 pounds, one over the featherweight limit. The superbantamweight division has a limit of 122 pounds.

Pacquiao said he welcomes the extra weight. He hasn’t dieted for the fight and like Yeshmagambetov, is well-prepared for a long grind, logging over 80 rounds of sparring.

On the issue of ring rust, Pacquiao said he realizes he’s fought only three rounds in the last 16 months. "Hindi naman ako pabaya sa training," he added. In a day, Pacquiao said he has gone as many as 23 rounds so he’s ready to work as many rounds as it will take to repulse Yeshmagambetov.

"Magkakasubukan ito," said Pacquiao. "Titingnan natin kung hanggang kailan siya tatagal."

Pacquiao said in the gym, he’s worked on both his offense and defense. His new weapon is a double left straight which he’ll use to start a flurry culminating in a left uppercut. It’s something he’s perfected with offense trainer Buboy Fernandez. As for defense, he’s worked on head movement, bobbing, weaving, and lateral motion with defensive trainer Nonoy Nery. He’s not leaving anything to chance. Pacquiao said he knows a loss to Yeshmagambetov will ruin his dream of a megabuck showdown against the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.

"Hindi ako namimili ng kalaban," said Pacquiao. "Kahit sino, lalabanan ko. Ang aking pangarap ay makalaban si Barrera — siya kasi ang kinikilalang pinakamagaling na featherweight sa mundo."

Pacquiao confessed that his ultimate goal is to become the first Asian to capture three world titles in different divisions. So far, he’s won two. He said he wants to be known, all over the globe, as "the one and only Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines."

Aside from a P2.5 Million purse, Pacquiao will receive a bonus of two round-trip tickets to Hong Kong from promoter Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde, Jr. if he wins convincingly.

Pacquiao’s record is 35-2-1, with 26 KOs, compared to Yeshmagambetov’s 13-10-1, with eight KOs.

In the undercard, unbeaten prospect Z Gorres takes on Roy Balataria for the interim RP flyweight title,RP superfeatherweight champion Bobby Pacquiao faces Baby Lorona, Jr. in a grudge rematch, RP superflyweight titlist Roger Galicia battles RP bantamweight ruler Johnny Lear for the vacant WBC) International bantamweight crown, and WBC International lightflyweight champion Juanito Rubillar meets Thai import Namchai Thaksim-esan.

The fights are free to the public, courtesy of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.