Almost a month after his brother, Manny, hammered out a sensational knockout win at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the younger Pacquiao showed to his illustrious brother that he’s also a force to reckon with.
After 10 furious rounds, Bobby pulled off a controversial split decision over Carlos "Famoso" Hernandez in a super-featherweight duel that served as appetizer to the slambang lightweight rematch between Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales at the Thomas and Mack Center
Banking on a left hand that sent the heavily-favored Hernandez on the floor late in the second round, Bobby won on the scorecards of Duane Ford, 95-93, and Chuck Giampa, 94-94, while Robert Hoyle had it 97-92 for Hernandez, an El Salvadorian who now lives in Los Angeles.
Bobby’s win was a big follow-up to the victories scored by Manny and two other rising Filipino fighters —Brian Viloria and Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista — last Sept. 11.
In only his third appearance on US shores, Bobby battled the rugged Hernandez on even terms in the remainder although Manny admitted that his 24-year-old sibling still has a lot to learn.
Though he’s already a big star, Manny did not mind being reduced to a mere spectator.
But his actions were a joy to watch.
And like an ordinary fight fan, he hollered instructions and jumped in sheer excitement each time his brother scored neatly.
Despite his brother’ win, Manny was far from satisfied.
"Marami pa siyang dapat matutunan," Manny told the Bulletin right after the upset victory. "Kailangan tibayan pa niya ang katawan. Bibigyan ko pa siya ng maraming tips."
Hernandez clawed back in the middle rounds and it appeared going into the last few rounds that he would succeed in staving off Bobby, who now has won eight of his last 10 fights dating back to mid-2003.
Another jubilant personality at ringside was Wakee Salud, the influential Cebu promoter-manager who joined Manny as one of Bobby’s energetic cheering squad.
"It was an action-packed fight," Salud reported from the venue. "Hernandez was really tough but Bobby was in superb condition. (The decision could have gone) either way."
