By Nick Giongco
There is one thing – just one thing – that Buboy Fernandez often whispers to Manny Pacquiao whenever they are training that he has sounded like a broken record.
“Huwag ka magpa-lubid (Don’t stay on the ropes),” Fernandez told the Bulletin as he prepares to preside over another round of intense training in General Santos City less than three weeks before the title challenge against Argentine world welterweight king Lucas Matthysse.
Fernandez warns Pacquiao that Matthysse packs dynamite and that being caught on the ropes against a hard-hitter like him is too big a risk to take.
“’Yan ang laging kong sinasabi sa kanya. Huwag na huwag,” said Fernandez, who has assumed the huge responsibility of becoming the main voice in the corner in the absence of Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao doesn’t seem to mind Fernandez’s ever-constant reminders.
“Masaya siya kapag nag-eensayo kami at determinado syang magbigay ng magandang panalo, (he’s happy when we are training and he is determined to come up with a strong performance),” said Fernandez.
Pacquiao, who turns 40 this December, seems like a fighter about to get his first title shot as Pacquiao would either skip training or come in late to the gym in the past.
But not this time.
“Ilang beses dumating siya sa gym 12:30 at hindi 1 o clock, two o-clock or 3 (o clock). Kita mo yung kagustuhan nyang makapagbigay ng magandang panalo” he said.
Asked about what he exactly meant, Fernandez didn’t mince any words.
“Babagsak,” said Fernandez.
That is if Pacquiao kicks off the habit of playing on the ropes, something Fernandez believes will be the case on July 15 in Malaysia.
