Pacman opts for a low profile
OSCAR de la Hoya saw a statue of his likeness unveiled in front of the Staples Centre arena in Los Angeles on Monday, while Manny Pacquiao kept a relatively low profile ahead of their ?Dream Match? megafight on Saturday.
?Golden Boy? De la Hoya was his usual outgoing self as fans turned out to see the statue unveiled before the arena, home of the National Basketball Association?s Lakers and the National Hockey League?s Kings.
?If I can touch one person and make them think, ?I can do it,? my goal is accomplished,? De la Hoya told the crowd.
The statue of him joined those of basketball star Magic Johnson and ice hockey great Wayne Gretzky.
De la Hoya was scheduled to fly later on Monday to Las Vegas for the final build-up to his fight against Filipino hero Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Council lightweight champion and acknowledged as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
The intriguing 12-round, non- title bout will be contested at the 147-pound welterweight limit.
De la Hoya, who has won world titles in six weight classes, hasn?t fought at as low a weight as 147 pounds in seven years.
Pacquiao will, in contrast, be moving up to welterweight for the first time. Pacquiao will enter the ring 47-3 with two drawn and 35 knockouts, De la Hoya brings a record of 39-5 with 30 knockouts.
Trainer Freddie Roach insists Pacquiao?s speed will help make up for what he gives away in size.
The fighter said the support of his Filipino fans would lift him.
?I feel their strength behind me,? he said. ? Whenever I fight, I fight for my country.? The blockbuster bout between the sport?s marquee names is expected to generate a total purse of some 100-million, with 65 percent going to De la Hoya and 35percent to Pacquiao.
The 16000 tickets ? most with a face value of 1500 ? sold out within two hours of going on sale.
While De la Hoya set off for Vegas amid the hoopla of the Staples Centre ceremony, Pacquiao toned down his departure. He cancelled a planned public event to put the finishing touches to his plans for taking on De la Hoya.
