LAS VEGAS: When Manny ?PacMan? Pacquiao steps into the ring on Sunday for the ?dream match? against Oscar de la Hoya, his fans would find Manny in the best fighting condition he has ever been.
This was the assurance of his trainer Freddie Roach, who declared on Thursday (Friday in Manila) that his prized fighter is ready to take on and beat de la Hoya for the biggest fight of his career. (See related story A8.)
?The reason that I have trained so hard for this bout is for my people and my family. Now I?m ready to fight,? said Pacquiao, who has grown into muscular 145-pounder and has added muscle mass to his five-foot-6.5 frame for his first match at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.
The media monitored Pacquiao?s progress at the Wild Card Gym on Vine Street in Hollywood. Some boxing writers who initially dismissed the fight a mismatch are now convinced Manny would be competitive and could even spring a surprise on the favored de la Hoya.
Doug Fischer, a commentator of ESPN.com, said he has seen enough of Pacquiao?s training ?to convince myself that Manny has a shot and will be competitive.?
So, what should Pacman do Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to deal with his naturally bigger opponent, who enjoys a height advantage of four inches, longer wingspan and has a reputation of stopping smaller foes at his prime?
Stay away from the jab
Pacquiao has to stay away from de la Hoya?s left jab, his most potent weapon. De la Hoya uses the jab to dictate the tempo of the fight and to set up his lethal left hook.
Roach has repeatedly told the media that Pacquiao has to neutralize the bigger de la Hoya?s jab, especially in the early rounds.
Boxing writers expect Pacquiao to bring the fight right to de la Hoya from the opening bell, but Pacquiao has to evade the jab first or get the bigger man out of position, then counter to the body and the head.
Veteran boxing scribe and ring commentator Larry Merchant said Pacquiao should stay away from de la Hoya?s reach in the first four rounds.
Merchant said Oscar would try for an early knockout, which he usually does in most of his fights.
Work the body
De la Hoya is known to have a strong chin. His only knock out loss to middleweight star Bernard Hopkins in 2004 was a cruncher to the liver.
Because of this and the height factor, Roach said Pacquiao would concentrate his attack on the body ?because that is where we think we can really hurt him.?
He said Pacquiao practiced over a dozen drills for counterpunching to body after slipping away from de la Hoya?s attacks.
De la Hoya leaves the body open when he punches and that is where Manny will attack every time he can. Of course good body shots will play handsome dividends toward the latter rounds as they sap the opponent of his energy as the fight wears on.
Set the tempo
In all his big fights?against Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr.?de la Hoya tended to wilt in the later rounds, Roach said.
?We will make Oscar work hard all three minutes of every round,? the coach added. ?We are not going to do anything stupid in the early rounds but make him move around the ring more than he wants.?
This is where Pacquiao?s quickness and explosiveness would come into play, Roach said, adding that the Filipno boxer is going to step on the gas as de la Hoya slows down.
?We worked on a game plan and Manny should stick to the plan and fight the perfect fight,? said Roach, adding that Pacquiao?s speed and stamina will be crucial in this fight.
Roach, who trained de la Hoya for his split decision loss last year to Mayweather, said Pacquiao is physically and mentally prepared to gradually break down de la Hoya, take him to the later rounds and stop him, if the opportunity presents itself
