The 26-year-old, who has had 200 training rounds under the watchful eye of trainer Vinai Singhsanae, said he and Vinai had studied tapes of Sidorenko's fight with Ricardo Cordoba of Panama and have plans to ward off the Ukranian's threats.

 "Sidorenko will attack first and Poonsawat must counter it," said Vinai. "He will have trouble landing his favourite body shots as the Ukrainian is short. So he has to rely on footwork, jab and side-step. Since my boy is quicker, I am sure that this will work."

"But if things go against what we have planned, we will switch to aggressive mode, exploiting the physical advantage. Judging from the fact that Poonsawat has improved his attacking and defending skills during the last two months, I think we have a pretty good chance of defeating him," added the trainer.

The Sakon Nakhon-born boxer said the prospect of facing the formidable Sidorenko holds no fear for him but admitted that the Ukrainian would be a very tough bone to chew on.

"I am ready for the fight. With a combination of well-planned tactics and intensive training, I am sure I can beat him," said Poonsawat.

"However, I won't be overconfident, as his impressive record tells how dangerous he is. Besides, I do not like to box with a shorter opponent as it deprives me from using body shots, so the fight will be harder."

The Poonsawat-Sidorenko bout will be held in Hamburg, Germany. Channel 7 will telecast it live from 3am Sunday morning.

Pacquiao hospitalized

nWorld boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, a superstar in his native Philippines, was rushed to hospital yesterday after vomiting blood, doctors and friends said.

Pacquiao's close friend, Joaqui Salud, said the 27-year-old boxer suffered stomach pains after eating lunch and had to be rushed to a hospital.

One of his doctors, Regina Bagsic, said that Pacquiao needed to rest but did not elaborate on what might be wrong with the boxing star.

Salud said his friend had a history of ulcers and suggested his condition could have something to do with the fact that he had forgotten to take his medication before eating lunch.

Pacquiao retained his WBC international super featherweight title on July 2 in a unanimous decision after a gruelling 12-round contest with Mexican challenger Oscar Larios.

Pacquiao, known to his fans as "The Destroyer" or "Pacman", is widely lionised in this country with even President Gloria Arroyo hailing him as a symbol of Filipino courage and determination.

Kitinan Sanguansak

The Nation