Unknown to boxing fans, legendary Oscar De la Hoya came close to visiting Cebu City to watch AJ 'Bazooka' Banal fight Rafael Concepcion for the WBA superflyweight title on July 26 at the New Cebu Coliseum.
WBO Asia Pacific Chairman Leon Panoncillo, in an exclusive interview, said that everything was already in place for De la Hoya's unannounced visit to Cebu, which would also include visits to some tourist spots including the world-class Boracay resort.
"Everything was already in place. I've made reservations with the nicest resort in Boracay, as well as in Cebu. We prepared the best possible welcome for Oscar," said Panoncillo yesterday.
Things, however, did not go as planned after De la Hoya must have been ill-advised that the country is a security threat.
"I'm not really too sure, but everything just did not happen this time. I hope Oscar visits Cebu in the near future though," added Panoncillo.
Top photo: Oscar de la Hoya and AJ 'Bazooka' Banal pose for a photo at the former's apartment in Puerto Rico in 2007.
WBO VP for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo during yesterday's presscon at the GV Tower Hotel in Cebu City.
Meanwhile, trainer Freddie Roach has indicated that a fight between Oscar De la Hoya and Pacquiao would be a much better fight than a Pacquiao-Humberto Soto showdown.
"Manny asked me if I thought an Oscar De La Hoya fight could be made. I told him yes, I think it can be made at 147 lbs. I would have Manny come in at 140 lbs and the fight be at around 145lbs. Since we can't get Hatton right now, I think we should go after De La Hoya. I know Manny can beat Oscar right now, I know it," Roach told Boxingherald.
Roach added that he asked Manny if he would like to fight De La Hoya, and Pacquiao answered in the affirmative. "He then asked me about the weight, and I told him we would make Oscar make 146 lbs, and we could make the fight."
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