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    Buboy thanks pal Pacquiao for respecting his authority inside ring

    Mutual respect for Buboy, Pacquiao
    Jul 15, 2018
    Childhood pals turned to trainer-fighter as Buboy Fernandez successfully guided Manny Pacquiao past Lucas Matthysse.
    PHOTO: Alvin S. Go

    KUALA LUMPUR – Buboy Fernandez knew Manny Pacquiao had Lucas Matthysse sized up the moment the Argentine fighter went down for the first time in the third round of their welterweight title bout at the Axiata Arena here.

    But a bad experience from the past had him reminding his childhood pal to be patient and take things slow.

    He did. And the succeeding result saw Pacquiao score his first knockout win in almost a decade and claim the World Boxing Association (WBA) 147-lbs. crown after his 60th career victory on Sunday at the Axiata Arena here.

    From the time the 35-year-old Matthysse went down to the canvas following a crisp left uppercut that Pacquiao set up with a short right, Fernandez said it was just a matter of time before the fight ended.

    “Nung nakita ko na bumigay si Matthysse nung third round, sabi ko ito na. Laruin na lamang namin ito,” said Fernandez, who led Pacquiao’s corner for the first time as his head trainer.

    PACQUIAO V MATTHYSSE
    PACQUIAO V MATTHYSSE

      But at the same time, he cautioned Pacquiao not to commit the same mistake he did against old-time rival Juan Manuel Marquez six years ago when he walked into a perfect counter right by the Mexican that sent the Filipino to dreamland.

      “Mahirap pumasok sa bitag,” said Fernandez. “Natatakot ako na baka strategy niya (Matthysse) lang na magpatama tapos uupo lang.”

      Fernandez, who was assistant to the legendary trainer Freddie Roach during the 17 years the Hall of Fame American handled Pacquiao, said he had a short heart-to-heart talk with the Filipino senator a few minutes before the 12-round bout.

      “Sa dressing room pa lang, bago kami umakyat ng ring, sabi ko sa kanya, maraming salamat sa tiwalang binigay mo sa akin, pero tayong dalawa lang ang magkakaintindihan sa ibabaw ng ring,” he said.

      Like an obedient student, the 39-year-old, eighth-time world division champion followed his close friend's instructions to the letter.

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      “Lahat naman nagbunga kasi lahat ng sinabi ko sinunod niya,” said Buboy, a councilor in his native Polangui, Albay. “Kaya malaking pasasalamat ko sa tao na pinagkakautangan ko ng loob.”

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      Childhood pals turned to trainer-fighter as Buboy Fernandez successfully guided Manny Pacquiao past Lucas Matthysse.
      PHOTO: Alvin S. Go
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