Manny Pacquiao’s Show of Support for Francisco Rodriguez
In a remarkable display of enthusiasm and support, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao paused his preparation for a comeback to the ring in order to witness a stunning achievement by one of his promoted fighters. Francisco Rodriguez faced off against Galal Yafai in Birmingham, England, on the night of June 21, where he delivered a record-setting performance.
Record-Setting Performance
During this high-stakes match, Rodriguez unleashed an astonishing barrage, totaling over 1,000 punches, ultimately securing victory against the 2020 Olympic gold medalist.
Intrigued by Rodriguez’s effort and success, Pacquiao responded by signing a Cleto Reyes glove as a token of motivation for the fighter as he sets his sights on a world title shot.
Fight Statistics and Achievements
The fight’s statistics, analyzed by CompuBox, highlight Rodriguez’s impressive offensive skills; he landed a remarkable 575 punches—a new CompuBox flyweight record—for an average of 48 per round, while also throwing 1,087 punches (91 per round). Furthermore, 528 of these successful strikes were categorized as power punches, which also broke the previous flyweight record. This surpassed Giovani Segura’s former record of 474 landed punches by a significant margin, showcasing Rodriguez’s potential as a formidable contender in the 115-pound category.
Collaborative Support and Future Prospects
Sean Gibbons, a key figure in Pacquiao’s promotional efforts, discussed Pacquiao’s supportive gesture and the collaboration between Manny Pacquiao Promotions and Eddie Reynoso, expressing confidence in Rodriguez’s future prospects. Gibbons relayed that even as Pacquiao engaged in his own training, he took time to witness the excitement of Chihua’s big win, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing upcoming talent in boxing.
Images of the signed glove were later shared on social media, symbolizing the connection between the champion and his promising fighter.
