?I think it was a mistake for Oscar to take this fight, I think it?s too much for him.?–Freddie Roach, Trainer of Manny Pacquiao
Although famed boxing trainer, Freddie Roach is in semi-seclusion this week due to last minute preparations for his fighter, Manny Pacquiao, showdown encounter with the ?Golden Boy,? Oscar De La Hoya on December 6, he has managed to make a few definitive statements:
?Manny is stronger, just as fast, and punches harder than ever.?
?Pacquiao will come out fast and furious.?
?It may be an early-round knockout in favor of Manny.?
?Oscar is skinny; he?ll run out of gas, Manny can go all night.?
?Oscar told me I would be in his corner forever and fired me after the Mayweather loss.?
?If Manny doesn?t get him early, he?ll tire him and knock De La Hoya out by the ninth round!?
In fact Roach is so confident of a Pacquiao victory in spite of the 4 inch height and 6 inch reach advantage enjoyed by De La Hoya, that Freddie has stated, ?I thought it was a mistake for Oscar to take this fight, I think it is too much for him.? Then he added, ?Some people are suggesting I am doing it for the money, I say, hey, don?t pay me. No problem, I am that confident my guy is going to win.?
Pacquiao has fought at 130 pounds and 135 pounds this year in narrowly defeating Juan Manuel Marquez and decisively knocking out David Diaz in obtaining a version of the world lightweight championship.
This fight is scheduled at 147 pounds. It is quite a leap for any man, much less a professional boxer, particularly within a period of only one year. He allows for the fact that he may be overextending himself, however and has stated, ?He is not afraid to try.? Manny also stated that, ?When your entire country is behind you, anything is possible.?
Whatever the result of this bout, Pacquiao plans to remain at the 140 pound weight level, with big paydays available at this junior welterweight level against excellent opponents, such as: Ricky Hatton, Marquez, and Kendall Holt, just to name a few.
Approaching this fight, Manny has stated regarding his Philippine homeland and his fans, ?I feel their strength behind me?whenever I fight, I fight for my country.? He has also said, ?I feel very strong and just as quick, I have been able to eat whatever I want, which I like, I am very comfortable right now.?
Alex Ariza, a strength coach for football and hockey players and mixed martial arts fighters has been working with Pacquiao. His job was to get Manny bigger and stronger without losing any of his speed, quickness, or power. Alex has stated, ?With Manny, we devised a high-intensity interval ballistic system?it?s a way to build functional muscle and help develop explosiveness.?
Observers of Pacquiao in training have come away in awe saying, ?He looks good, real good.? Roach stated, ?He?ll be the best Pacquiao anyone has seen?I?ve never seen him more dedicated to preparing for a fight like this one.?
The Wild Card Boxing Club, owned and managed by Freddie Roach, with a regular clientele of at least 100 aspirants of championships, weight control, etc., has been closed to all from 1 PM until 4 PM daily while Pacquiao goes through his final preparation for this much-anticipated fight in relative seclusion and his eyes focused on victory.
The bout will be on Pay-Per-View and will be aired live from the Grand Garden of the beautiful MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, tonight. Oscar De La Hoya, ?The Golden Boy,? will be fighting for even more pride and glory. Manny Pacquiao, ?The Pac Man,? will be doing likewise and fighting to secure his hold on the pound-for-pound title that has been bestowed on his ever-growing shoulders.
This is a fight that you might not want to miss.
