Bobby passes test with flying colors

World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas superfeatherweight champion Bobby Pacquiao took older brother Manny’s advice to attack the body, stay focused and defend against the counter right hand in knocking out Kevin Kelley to retain his crown at the Madison Square Garden in New York City last Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila).

The end came at 1:24 of the fourth round as Kelley collapsed on the canvas, his head resting near the ring apron, from a left hook to the ribs. It was clear from TV replays that a vicious shot to the body caused the damage, contrary to the Flushing Flash’s claim the blow was below the belt. Kelley grimaced in pain as referee Steve Willis tolled the full count.

It was supposed to be Pacquiao’s acid test and he passed with flying colors.

Pacquiao, 25, was tentative in the first round as he cautiously circled Kelley, sizing him up and throwing light jabs with little conviction. Kelley appeared to be more daring but found Pacquiao too slick to pin down. Both southpaws showed too much respect for each other in the uneventful opening stanza.

In the second stanza, Pacquiao began to pound Kelley’s midsection. Kelley tried to return the favor and also went for the body. The flat-footed Kelley landed the more telling punches early in the third canto but with less than 10 seconds left, Pacquiao sent him tumbling down with a picture-perfect left hook to the face. Kelley barely beat the 10-count and walked back to his corner on rubbery legs, cursing himself for being "stupid."

Pacquiao wasted no time in going for the kill when the bell rang for the fourth. He trapped Kelley along the ropes and unleashed a furious flurry that probably would’ve decked a lesser opponent. But the proud Kelley, a former WBC featherweight titlist now in the twilight of an 18-year pro career, refused to surrender under fire.

Then, Pacquiao banged a right to the hip and slammed a left hook to the side that finally took the starch out of the Brooklyn veteran. Kelley writhed in pain on the canvas – a picture of an aging gladiator unable to turn back the hands of time.

Kelley, 38, will likely retire after the severe beating. He showed none of the speed that was his trademark in outpointing Goyo Vargas for the WBC featherweight crown in 1993 and repulsing challengers Jesse Benavides and Jose Vida Ramos in a brief reign. Kelley was slow, looked like a tired old man and proved no match for the hard-hitting Pacquiao.

In the dressing room after the bout, Pacquiao thanked the Lord for the victory and said God made it happen. He confessed to be deliberately careful in the first round because of Kelley’s reputation as a crafty, stylish and cunning boxer-puncher.

"He’s not an ordinary fighter," Pacquiao told The STAR in Filipino in a long distance interview. "He’s a good fighter and a world champion with good power. I wanted to study his style first before moving in. My trainer Buboy (Fernandez) told me to go for the body starting the second round and I did."

Pacquiao said he was hurt by a haymaker midway the third round but Wasn’t fazed. "I just didn’t mind it," he continued. "I fought back and before I knew it, he went down."

From Los Angeles, the older Pacquiao phoned to congratulate his sibling in New York.

"I couldn’t go with Bobby to New York because of my training in Los Angeles," explained Manny in a phone interview from his Villas of La Brea suite. "I’m proud of him. He fought very well. I immediately called to congratulate him."

Manny said he advised his brother to watch for Kelley’s counter right hand.

"I told him not to be overconfident, to watch his defense," said Manny. "I’m glad he followed my advice because he always had his hands up. The body attack won it for Bobby."

The win raised Pacquiao’s record to 27-11-3, with 12 KOs. He has swept his four assignments so far in the US, beating Oscar Villa, Carlos Navarro, Carlos Hernandez and Kelley. The loss dropped Kelley’s mark to 58-7-2, with 39 KOs.

Cebu promoter Rex (Wakee) Salud said it was by far Pacquiao’s best showing since turning pro in 1997. "Bobby is on his way to the top," said Salud. "He’s following in Manny’s footsteps."