By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Philippine super featherweight champion and Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation No. 1 contender Bobby Pacquiao has started to show signs of the devastating punching power of his elder brother, Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquaio, as he steps up preparations for his WBO International title fight against champion Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym on February 18 in Pattaya, Thailand. Fahprakorb is the same boxer who suffered a first round knockout at the hands of then IBF super bantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao in Davao City in October 2002 in a mandatory title defense.

Rod Nazario who manages the younger Pacquiao  told Manila Standard “ Bobby Pacquiao’s punching power has improved by thirty percent” and he has demonstrated this in sparring sessions with Dennis Laurente and Renato Inal at the Elorde Gym on Sucat, Paranaque. Nazario said “Bobby is a technically sound fighter but I wish he had the dedication and courage of Manny.” However, Nazario said the younger Pacquiao had improved considerably in terms of his attitude and if he can overcome Fahprakorb, he would definitely gain in confidence.

Nazario said he would leave for Thailand on tomorrow along with Pacquiao and the trio of boxing people Moy Lainez, Lito Mondejar and Gerry Garcia. The clash with Fahprakorb will be a tough test for the young Pacquiao since the lanky Thai champion has improved a great deal since his KO loss to elder brother Manny when Fahprakorb was IBF No. 1 junior bantamweight contender. Bobby Pacquiao who is coming off a unanimous eight round decision over Mexican journeyman Oscar Villa in his US debut, trained under Freddie Roach at his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and appeared to benefit from that stint. He has been training at the Wild Card Gym in BF Homes in Paranaque under Nonoy Neri.

Fahprakorb  won his last fight, overcoming a first round knockdown against southpaw Alvin Clerino who decked the WBO International champion with a big right and then hammered him across the ring but couldn’t finish him off. However, Fahprakorb fought back furiously and knocked out Clerino with a vicious left hook to the ribs. Fahprakorb improved his record to 46-3 with 29 KO’s.