Fahsan vows fight to the finish

Former Muay Thai kick fighter Fahsan 3-K Battery promised yesterday to do or die in his scheduled 12-round bout against consensus world featherweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao in an open-air arena at the Fort in the Global City, Taguig, on Dec. 11.

Fahsan and his manager Ekarat (Jimmy) Chaichotchueng flew in from Bangkok last Thursday to attend a press conference the next day announcing the fight. They return home today and will be back about a week before the bout.

"Fahsan isn’t scared of Pacquiao," said Chaichotchueng. "He’s not scared of anybody. He’s never been knocked out. Pacquiao is his ticket to the top. He wants to be the next Asian boxing superstar."

Chaichotchueng said Fahsan’s streak of 32 straight wins was snapped by Art Simonyian in Illinois last May but the Thai was not in tip-top condition.

"Fahsan trained only a month for Simonyian because the offer to fight in the US came late," noted Chaichotchueng. "He was slow and got tired easily. But for Pacquiao, he will be more than ready to fight. By the time they fight, Fahsan will have trained over two months."

Chaichotchueng declined to reveal what Fahsan’s strategy will be against Pacquiao.

"That’s our secret," he said. "But everyone knows Pacquiao is strongest in the first three rounds so Fahsan will box him early, move around. Once Pacquiao gets tired of chasing Fahsan, we will become the aggressor. We know Pacquiao has power but Fahsan is strong, too. Fahsan has a powerful left hook and likes to attack the body."

The possibility of a hometown decision is remote, said Chaichotchueng, and he’s not worried about it.

"This is a big fight," said Chaichotchueng. "The world will be watching so I don’t think the judges will be unfair. It doesn’t matter whether we win by knockout or decision. The important thing is we win."

New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad, who arrived from the US two weeks ago to finalize the negotiations for the fight, said he invited Fahsan and Chaichotchueng to show up for the press conference so media could size up the Thai.

"We couldn’t send them their plane tickets or money to buy tickets because of lack of time," said Muhammad. "But Jimmy used his own money to fly in. Of course, we’ll pay him back. I think that’s an indication of their commitment. They’re not coming over to lose."

Pacquiao and Fahsan sparred for three rounds in a Guam exhibition two years ago. Neither fighter could recall how the bout turned out.

"Wala akong naaalala sa kanya," said Pacquiao. "Kung naramdaman ko ang suntok niya, maaalala ko siya. Hindi yata ako nakaramdam ni isang suntok."

Pacquiao left Manila yesterday morning to resume training in General Santos City.

Fahsan, who idolizes Thai legend Khaosai Galaxy, said he respects nobody in the ring. He couldn’t recall an opponent who gave him trouble–not any of the seven fighters who’ve beaten him. Four of his losses were dealt by Thais at the start of his career. The three other setbacks were by Tony Wehbee of Australia, Muhammad Nurhuda of Indonesia and Simonyian.

"Fahsan wasn’t prepared to turn pro when he lost those first four fights so I don’t think they count," said Chaichotchueng. "Wehbee, Nurhuda and Simonyian never hurt him. Fahsan told me if he fights any of those seven fighters again, he’s sure to beat them all."

Fahsan’s record is 44-7-1, with 23 KOs.

Muhammad said Fahsan has gotten tips from former World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight champion and stablemate Medgoen 3-K Battery on how to beat Pacquiao. It was Medgoen who dethroned an overweight Pacquiao on a third round knockout in Bangkok in 1999.

Fight organizers are tempting Medgoen to face rising Cebu star Z Gorres in the Fort undercard.

Chaichotchueng said Fahsan realizes the chance to defeat Pacquiao comes once in a lifetime.

"Fahsan has a wife and a three-year-old son," said Chaichotchueng. "He’s been fighting for 12 years and he’s now 30. If he beats Pacquiao, he will be fighting (Juan Manuel) Marquez instead. This is his chance to become rich and famous."

Muhammad said the International Boxing Federation (IBF) may sanction the fight as a championship eliminator since Pacquiao is the No. 3 featherweight contender and Fahsan, the No. 4 superbantamweight. He said if the IBF sanctions the match, it will reserve the right to appoint the referee and judges.

Muhammad leaves Manila for the US tonight. He said it’s the longest business trip he’s made away from home. A Muslim, Muhammad observed Ramadan here.

"The deal was worth the wait," said Muhammad. "I came over because I wanted to get the deal done. With Pop (Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario), we’ve been able to get giants to back up the show–Smart and Solar Sports. Manny Pangilinan is the Filipino Donald Trump and the Tieng brothers, Wilson and William, are like Bill Gates. Then, there’s Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga. You can’t go wrong with that partnership."

Muhammad said he is arranging for footage of the Pacquiao-Fahsan fight to be aired during the HBO (Home Box Office) coverage of the WBC heavyweight title match between Vitali Klitschko and Danny Williams on Dec. 12 (morning, Manila time).

"If the Klitschko fight ends early and Manny puts on a spectacular performance, with God’s help, the footage will be shown on HBO that same weekend," said Muhammad.