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Monday, July 28, 2003
Pacquiao KOs unorthodox foe
LOS ANGELES, California---Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines stopped Mexico’s Emmanuel Lucero in the third round here Saturday to retain his International Boxing Federation super bantamweight title.
Pacquiao, a southpaw, outboxed the challenger and had clearly got to grips with his unorthodox style by the third round.
He staggered Lucero with a left less than a minute into the round, and referee Jose Cobian stopped the contest at 48 seconds into the round.
Meanwhile, Fernando Vargas returned to the ring Saturday, stopping overmatched Canadian Fitz Vanderpool in the sixth round of their scheduled 10-round non-title fight, Vargas’ first in more than 10 months.
Asked to rate his performance on a scale of 10 following his first fight since losing a showdown with Oscar de la Hoya last Sept. 14, Vargas gave himself a three.
“I’m my own worst critic,” he said. “I never try to sugar-coat things. I have to look back at the tape, but I honestly felt rusty there. I didn’t get away with shots that I should have gotten away with.”
Southpaw Pacquiao took a few rounds to figure out Lucero’s unorthodox style, then connected with a big straight left that staggered Lucero. Referee Jose Cobian immediately halted the contest at 48 seconds into the round.
Pacquaio, 25, made the fourth defense of the title he won in June of 2001, with a victory over Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. He improved to 37-2-1 with 29 victories inside the distance.
Lucero fell to 21-1-1.
The fight was on the card featuring a 10-round non-title super welterweight fight between American Fernando Vargas and Canadian Fitz Vanderpool.
Pacquiao reportedly wants to fight Paulie Ayala next.
Vargas comfortably won every round from the World Boxing Council’s top-ranked junior middleweight contender, although there were no knockdowns.
“Fitz Vanderpool is no pushover, he’s the No. 1 contender for a reason,” Vargas said. “I got ready and spent nine weeks in Big Bear, but you’re still going to see rust. I’m not where I’m supposed to be.”
Vanderpool hit the canvas four times, but each was ruled a slip by referee Marty Denken. He landed just two telling blows but appeared wobbly in the final minute of the sixth round, when Vargas unleashed a barrage of punches.
The former WBA super welterweight champion followed a right to the head with a left hook and a right cross, then pinned Vanderpool against the ropes with another combination. Vargas got in another left hook, two rights to the head and two more combinations before Denken stepped in with 24 seconds left in the round.
Vargas improved to 23-2 with his 21st knockout. It was his first fight since de la Hoya recorded an 11th-round stoppage.
After that bout, Vargas received a nine-month suspension and a $100,000 fine from the Nevada Athletic Commissioner for testing positive for an anabolic steroid. Vargas denied taking a banned substance and said he was following the advice of a nutritionist.
But the Oxnard, California native admitted it’s been a difficult year.
“It was hard, I’m not going to lie,” he said. “But my Mexican people, and my fans in general, every time they saw me they really helped me get through that.”
Vargas’ first bout in Southern California in more than six years packed the Olympic Auditorium for the first time in more than two decades.
Vanderpool, 35, was beaten for the first time since February 2000 and fell to 24-5-4. (AFP) |
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