Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s trainer, is now Albay vice mayor

FILE: Replacing legendary coach Freddie Roach as Pacquiao’s head trainer since 2018, Fernandez still plans to continue his commitments to Philippine sports. (Photo: @mannypacquiao/Instagram)

Boxing trainer Buboy Fernandez, best known for guiding World Boxing Association (WBA) Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao during his most recent victory against American Adrien Broner last January, has officially raised another banner for Team Pacquiao after winning as vice mayor of Polangui in Albay during the 2019 midterm elections.

It was a close fight between Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) – Lakas ng Bayan’s Fernandez and second-placer Renato Borja, who was an independent candidate.

Fernandez gained 19,895 votes and Borja received 17,711 votes, while the third contender, Dexter Salinel, only got 1,777 votes. Prior to winning vice-mayor, Fernandez obtained political experience as councilor of the same town.

Replacing legendary coach Freddie Roach as Pacquiao’s head trainer since 2018, Fernandez still plans to continue his commitments to Philippine sports, guiding Pacquiao in his upcoming fight against Keith Thurman on July 20 despite the Filipino eight-time champion boxer reuniting with Roach in November. Immediately after the athlete-turned-politican’s victory last January, Fernandez shareD with the press that he is ready to guide the Filipino representative in “three fights and that’s it,” explaining, “He has nothing more to prove. There are many young and skillful fighters coming up, and all of them are hungry [for recognition]. We shouldn’t wait for them to catch up.” Fernandez added, “We’re able to fly again, let’s not wait for a crash landing. Whatever were lost do not really matter.

What matters most is the title is safely on our hands.” Now, he knows that Thurman is a tough competitor.

Along with Fernandez, Pacquiao’s brother Rogelio Pacquiao celebrated victory being re-elected congressman in Sarangani, winning against Jacob Arroyo by 166,558 votes. Their cousin, Zyrex Pacquiao, is also a Team Pacquiao representative now the mayor of Maasim in Sarangani, overcoming opponent Uttoh Salem Cutan by 2,742 points.