A pair of rangy and long-armed African-American super-welterweights (154 lbs) have been tapped by Freddie Roach to help Manny Pacquiao rev up for Oscar De La Hoya.
Roach told the Bulletin yesterday that Rashad Holloway and Arron Robinson, both 27 years old, have agreed to spar with Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Council lightweight (135 lbs) champion, in preparation for the Dec. 6 showdown with the Golden Boy at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Top Rank chief Bob Arum also said yesterday the title of the lucrative De La Hoya-Pacquiao headliner will be “The Dream Match.”
Holloway, who is originally from Cincinnati who now lives in Los Angeles, stands 5-10 ? and holds a 9-1-0 win-loss card with five knockouts.
He had previously worked as a sparring partner with Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley after a stellar amateur career that saw him capture seven Ohio Golden Gloves.
The California-bred Robinson stands 5-foot-10 and parades a 6-2-1 card with four stoppages and once sparred with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao is flying to the US this weekend with training assistants Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri although it is unclear if Pacquiao will immediately plunge into training at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood as soon as he shakes off the effects of jet lag.
But Roach insists Pacquiao will have his hands full once they go into training camp.
“Even if we are going on a (six-city, five-day) press tour (starting Oct. 1 in New York), I will arrange that Manny gets to train everyday just like what I did when I trained Oscar last year,” said the 48-year-old Roach. “I will make everything possible that there won?t be a free day while we are on tour.”
Holloway and Robinson are regulars at the Wild Card, according to Roach, who plans to send them both to the ring as soon as he thinks Pacquiao is ready to rumble with the big boys.
Meanwhile, Roach said he has received reports that legendary Mexican trainer Ignacio ?Nacho? Beristain is being considered to help De La Hoya train for the Pacquiao fight.
“That?s what I heard,” said Roach.
Beristain, acknowledged as Mexico?s finest cornerman, trains Juan Manuel Marquez, the crafty puncher who gave Pacquiao a taste of hell in each of their two meetings.
Reports from the US reveal that De La Hoya?s original choice, Floyd Mayweather Sr., will instead train Ricky Hatton of England for a Nov. 22 fight with Paul Malignaggi in New York.
Told about the possibility of going back to De La Hoya?s arms, Roach is firm that his heart is with the Filipino southpaw.
“I stick with winners,” added Roach.
