Oscar De La Hoya is leaving nothing to chance as he prepares to lock horns with Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night.
The ‘Golden Boy’ will head into the ‘Dream Match’ at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas surrounded by a gilt-edged boxing brains trust.
Oscar wasn’t satisfied with just employing as his new trainer Nacho Beristain, the man who prepared Juan Manuel Marquez for two epic battles with the Pacman.
So just to make sure, he called up one Angelo Dundee, perhaps the most famous trainer in ring history.
The reasons for his fame are there for all to see – two of them just happen to be named Muhammad Ali and ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard.
Dundee, now aged 87, was only too happy to join De La Hoya’s camp in an advisory capacity and he’s now breaking down Pacquiao tape to find the weaknesses Oscar can exploit on fight night.
He said: “They called me and it’s nice to be wanted. They asked me to join in an advisory capacity and that’s fine because he’s already got a great crew working with him. He’s got Nacho Beristan whose a helluva trainer. I know him from way back, from when Cleveland Williams fought Cassius Clay so you know how far back that is. I’m very friendly with the guy.
“It was like blending with fight guys. I went up to Big Bear and we had a conversation. I took some tapes away and I did some homework on both fighters and whatever I can add I’ll add.”
This is the first time Dundee has worked with De La Hoya, and it’s been a real eye-opener. He’s amazed by the dedication shown by a man who is now 35 and who definitely doesn’t need the money.
“I was tremendously impressed with the guy. He trains like a 21-year-old. He goes to the gym and he’s having a ball. He enjoys every minute of gym work and that’s difficult. Muhammad was like that. He looked forward to going to the gym, and this kid is the same way.”
Many experts see Saturday’s bout as a glaring mismatch, with underdog Pacquiao stepping up two weight divisions to fight at welterweight.
But Dundee bristles at the criticism, and says the scales won’t matter when they finally get into the ring.
“That’s a bunch of baloney. This kid Pacquiao fought Barrera and came in close to welterweight on the night. So he’s not a small guy.”.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach has had plenty to say in the build-up to this one, so much so that it almost feels like he’s the one fighting Oscar.
Roach says the weight will bring problems for De La Hoya as well – the ‘Golden Boy’ hasn’t fought at 147lbs for seven long years now.
Again Dundee disagrees, arguing: “There’s no margin to it. When I was there he was just over 147. The guy’s a welterweight, a pure welterweight.”
One of the biggest knocks on De La Hoya is that though he’s been in many big fights, he’s lost most several of them.
Dundee though sees a CV that includes some of the ring’s biggest names in the last 20 years as a huge plus heading into the clash with Pacquiao.
“Weight will have no barometer on this fight. What will have a barometer in this fight is that De La Hoya has fought tough fights all through his career.
“When he was coming up as a young man I saw him fight in LA and he fought all these tough guys from across the border. He knows how to fight aggression and in Pacquiao you have complete aggression. De La Hoya has many more tools than just aggression.
“Who is the puncher is not going to be involved. The better fighter will win. I think De La Hoya has the talent and the numbers and the knowhow to beat this guy.
“The other guy is a hell of a figher, don’t get me wrong. Pacquiao has his own style, he’s a very remarkable young man and he’s done so much for his country. Nobody knows him better than me. He’s added to the boxing profession and we need guys like that.”
De La Hoya took the Pacquiao fight rather than taking on current welterweight stars like Antonio Margarito or Paul Williams.
Dundee’s defence of that decision is stout, and he argues it was the right one for the sport.
“When Ray Leonard fought Hagler, they said it shouldn’t happen. He beat Hagler. When George Foreman came back they said he shouldn’t come back. He wins the world title. De La Hoya’s fighting because he enjoys what he does. Where can he have as much fun? I don’t think it’s money, it’s being in the environment of boxing. He loves boxing.
“It’s the best fight for boxing and it’s a hell of a way to end the year. The controversy is great. We don’t want a no-contest. We want the fans to get excited.”
Despite entering the twilight of his ring career, De La Hoya remains the sport’s biggest draw by some distance.
And Dundee ended our interview by paying a glowing tribute to his latest pupil.
“The second day I was at Big Bear the media came, TV, radio stations and newspapermen. They loaded the place. This kid to me is a little Pied Piper. Muhammad was the big Pied Piper.
“He’s got a smile on his face. He’s great for boxing. We need that. What the heck, I don’t want to learn to speak Russian.”
Dundee is now looking forward to fight week in Vegas, like a child on Christmas morning. And hoping that it’s the Pied Piper who will be calling the tune come Saturday night.
