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PACQUIAO DEFENDS IBF TITLE
Dennis Principe
 26.10 - DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Will IBF superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao’s road to greatness continue or will it be put to a screeching halt by a Thai named Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym?
These questions will definitely have its answers this afternoon (Philippine time) as Pacquiao defends his title versus the enigmatic Rakkiatgym for 12 rounds, or less, in a championship card aptly dubbed “Duel in Davao” at the Rizal Memorial College Gym in this city.
This will be Pacquiao’s third title defense since winning it from South African great Lehlohonolo Ledwaba last June 2001.
The 23-year old Pacquiao (35-2-1, 26 KO’s) cannot afford to take this myesterious Rakkiatgym lightly considering that the latter has been undefeated in four fights outside of his native land.
The lefty-Thai has fought twice in Indonesia and once each in South Africa and England. Surprisingly, Rakkiatgym (36-2, 25 KO’s) won all four fights by decision, giving an impression that he is a stylist boxer which does not fit well to Pacquiao’s rugged style.
“Manny will be putting everything on the line in thisfight. And that includes those projected megafights against the world’s best like Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera which may happen next year.” Said RodNazario, Pacquiao’s business manager.
Nazario added that though a much brighter future awaits Pacquiao should he be succesful in his latest defense, it may also serve as an added motivation for the 27-year old Thai fighter to beat the country’s lone world champion.
Pacquiao will be entering the ring wearing a Lumad attire while all round girls will be wearing ethnic
outfits to complete an “aboriginal” boxing card.
Serving as special attraction will be a 10-round encounter between ex-WBC champion Goyo Vargas and RP lighweight contender Christopher Saluday. Also, former Olympian Danilo Lerio, Jr. makes his second professional bout against undefeated Philip Parcon for 6-rounds.
Philippine-based Bruce McTavish of New Zealand will be the referee of this championship match while Narciso Martinez (Philippines), Saemphan Saengakaj (Thailand) and Shafeeq Rushad (US) will act as judges. Serving as IBF supervisor is Daryl Peoples.
Meanwhile, North Cotabato governor Manny Piñol revealed that aside from the live broadcast by NBN channel 4, the fight will also be aired by ABS-CBN’s Filipino channel as well as American Channel 26. Aside from these stations the fight will also be beamed live by Indo-China countries.
PACQUIAO FOE UNDEFEATED ON FOREIGN SOIL!
By Dennis Principe
 23.10 - IF IBF superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines thinks he will have an easy time disposing off Thai challenger Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym (left) on October 26 in Davao City, he should think twice.
The 27-year old Rakkiatgym, who is currently on a 32-fight winning streak has fought four times outside of his country and has surprisingly won all four of them by unanimous decision, an indication that the Thai challenger is a stylish boxer.
“Manny had a hard time facing stylish boxers in the past and this was evident when he fought Nedal
Hussein. He should not take this Thai fighter lightly who is also a stylist.” Said Rod Nazario, Pacquiao’s business manager.
Rakkiatgym’s first overseas assignment was in 1993 in Indonesia where he won a 10-round decision against local hero and former PABA superbantamweight champion B Bugiarso.
Two months later he returned to Indonesia and again won by 10-round decision over another local boy Agus Ekajaya.
August of last year Rakkiatgym invaded Hammanskraal, South Africa where he decisioned Argentine champion Nestor Farias. December of the same year he again scored a decision win over Briton Anthony Hanna in England.
Pacquiao is currently in Davao where he is busy preparing for his upcoming title defense along with
trainers Pepper Roach, and Lito Mondejar.
Pacquiao is also occupied by his forthcoming billiards tournament dubbed “The First Manny Pacquiao 9-ball Tournament” which will be held in General Santos City from October 29 to 31
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