Golden Boy Promotions Vice-President Eric Gomez belied the statement of American trainer Freddie Roach that most Mexicans will cheer for Manny Pacquiao when the Filipino icon battles Oscar De La Hoya on December 6.
Gomez was the main guest of Wednesday morning?s ?Sports Chat?, the daily Philippine radio show hosted by this writer.
Listen to the interview here.
?That kind of stuff doesn?t bother us, it?s Freddie?s opinion he is entitled to his own opinion but I have to say that he?s wrong and we?ll see on December 6 who has the biggest following,? said Gomez. ?Freddie is not Mexican so what would he know? I don?t even know Freddie has been to Mexico.”
Gomez was confident De La Hoya will get the most number of support once the Golden Boy and the Pacman finally enters the ring for their 12-round welterweight non-title match to be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
?It?s easy for them to say because they?re not Mexicans, they don?t understand but that?s fine. Whoever they might be talking to they might be two or three and for every two or three there are hundreds of Mexicans that love Oscar and they follow him,? said Gomez.
“All the top champions, all the legendary champions want to go and see Oscar so I don?t know what they are talking about. ?They can focus on whatever they want but come fight night we?ll see how many fans there is for Oscar we?ll see who gets the biggest cheers. Oscar?s got full support in his entire career.?
Late last week Roach graced the same show and expressed his belief that De La Hoya, son of Mexican-born immigrants, cannot rely on pure Mexican fight fans? support for their battle dubbed ?The Dream Match?.
?Believe me, the true Mexican fans are going to be on Manny Pacquiao?s side. Because you know what, Oscar?s never been accepted by the true Mexican fans from Mexico. Mexican-Americans yes, but not Mexicans,? said Roach during the telephone interview.
