(Update) Pacquiao shows no fear of De la Hoya
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/01/2008 9:00 PM
Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao maintained his fearless stance against six-division world champion Oscar de la Hoya as he remained unfazed by his opponent’s decision to hire renowned trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain.
In an interview at New York City’s Park Meridien Hotel, Pacquiao told ABS-CBN News that De la Hoya’s latest move to hire Beristain won’t affect his upcoming fight.
Beristain also trained Pacquaio’s old nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez, who lost his WBC super featherweight title to the Filipino in a controversial match in Las Vegas last March.
“I think that’s good for me because never naman nanalo sa akin si Marquez. Siguro kinuha niya (De la Hoya) ang trainer ni Marquez para matalo din siya,” joked Pacquiao.
The Filipino, however, said his training against the Mexican-American star is serious business. He has been training harder to match De la Hoya’s heavier weight and longer reach.
“Kakaiba ang sakit ng katawan ko, kakaiba ang training na ginagawa ko ngayon, talagang pampalakas at saka pampatibay,” he said.
Pacquiao and his crew went to New York from Los Angeles for the joint formal announcement Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) of his December 6 non-title fight against De la Hoya.
The fight, dubbed “The Dream Match”, will be held in Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 6.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao and his team celebrated assistant coach and childhood friend Buboy Fernandez’s birthday at the New York hotel.
During the party, Pacquiao ate a lot, including steak and eggs, because he has to gain weight.
The WBC lighweight champion has to reach the 147-pound limit for his fight against De la Hoya. His previous fight was at the 135-pound division. — report from DYAN CASTILLEJO, ABS-CBN News
FeudArt 