MANILA, Philippines?Legendary Mexican trainer Ignacio ?Nacho? Beristain finds no need for major changes in Oscar De La Hoya?s fighting style when the pay-per-view king tangles with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao on Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
In an interview with dzSR Sports Radio?s Dennis Principe Monday morning, Beristain insisted that De La Hoya?s edge in reach, size and power will be more than enough to negate Pacquiao?s blazing hand speed when they collide at 147 pounds.
Speaking through interpreter Jaime Quintana, a Mexican promoter, Beristain said the 35-year-old De La Hoya?s experience and talent make working with him a breeze.
?It?s easy for me,? said Beristain, a Hall of Fame trainer who has worked the corner of 16 world champions. ?Training him (De La Hoya) is like polishing or shaping a diamond. Technically, he won?t change because he has his style as a fighter.?
Beristain also scoffed at reports that Pacquiao, who dethroned WBC 135 lb champion David Diaz in June, intends to stay in the welterweight class after his megabuck bout with De La Hoya.
?After what will happen on Dec. 6, Pacquiao will be more than willing to move down to 135 or 130 because he is going to get a tremendous beating,? he said.
Reports from Hollywood, where Pacquiao is deep in training at trainer Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym, however, indicate that Pacquiao has no intention of returning to the lower divisions.
Pacquiao even coaxed Juan Manuel Marquez, Beristain?s prot?g? whom he beat for the WBC super featherweight crown in March, to climb to 147 lb if he really wants a third fight.
Meanwhile, the World Boxing Council bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award on Roach during a special luncheon and fund raising on Oct. 11 at the WBC Legends of Boxing Event in San Bernardino, California.
As reported by Philboxing. com?s Dr. Ed de la Vega on Tuesday, Roach sent a friend, Miguel Salazar, to receive the award on his behalf as the affair coincided with Pacquiao?s regular training hours at Wild Card.
Pacquiao is mainly responsible for the Trainer of the Year awards accorded Roach by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2003, 2006 and 2007.
Also honored by the WBC, headed by Mexican Jose Sulaiman, were 92-year-old trainer and cutman Chuck Bodak, cutman Tony Rivera and announcer Carlos Avilas. Former super lightweight John Montes Jr. was inducted to the Hall of Fame.
