If Manny Pacquiao leads with his chin, he?ll get knocked out in the first round by Oscar De La Hoya, according to revered Mexican trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain.
Beristain?s remarks came after Freddie Roach branded De La Hoya as a fighter in decline.
Roach cited De La Hoya?s lackluster performance against Steve Forbes last May, predicting that the 10-time world champion will start to slow down after six or seven rounds.
“Pacquiao?s explosiveness and speed, despite him being the naturally smaller fighter, will be the difference,” Roach was quoted as saying by the Mexican media. Stung by Roach?s remarks, Beristain said should Pacquiao get careless, he will be knocked out as early as the first round.
Beristain, however, conceded that Pacquiao?s vaunted left hand would pose some problems, although confident that only De La Hoya will withstand its impact but they?ll find a way that the punch will not find its target.
The opposing trainers provided the fireworks during the six-city press tour.
Meanwhile, two giant US sports networks ? HBO and ESPN ? are sending coverage teams to the Philippines starting next week to conduct interviews and get film clips in relation with their respective buildup to the Dec. 6 clash between De La Hoya and Pacquiao.
This was revealed by ace publicist and spokesman Lee Samuels of Top Rank from Houston where he is accompanying Pacquiao as part of the tour that had already made much-publicized stops in New York and Chicago.
The HBO footage will be used in a 24-7 program that will run beginning November, said Samuels.
“The media and public turnout is unbelievable,” said Samuels, who is one of 10 individuals on board a private jet that the promoters leased for the traveling circus that includes Top Rank chief Bob Arum, photographer Chris Farina, HBO Vice-President for Sports Bob Halloran, Pacquiao lawyer Franklin Gacal, adviser Mike Koncz, trainers Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez and videographer Levi Martinez.
“Just anywhere Manny goes, he gets mobbed,” said Samuels, who joined Pacquiao during a meet-and-greet cum fundraiser in Newark, New Jersey.
