Pacquiao puts his life on the line in upcoming fight against De la Hoya

Pacquiao: For this fight, my life on the line

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/07/2008 12:53 AM

The stakes have gone even higher two months before the epic welterweight super bout dubbed “The Dream Match” between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and 10-time world champion Oscar de la Hoya.

At least for Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Council lightweight champ, the December 6 megabuck fight is enough reason for him to put his life on the line for his country’s honor.

“Asahan ninyo na sa akin, kahit buhay ko, itataya ko para sa karangalan ng ating bansa,” Pacquiao told a crowd of Filipinos, Americans and Mexicans gathered at the Golden Gate Park’s Chrissy Field in San Francisco, California, on Saturday.

Pacquiao has described the battle against de la Hoya as the “biggest” fight of his life. He said that the training being done for the bout is extremely different and relatively more painful compared to others in the past.

“This is my greatest challenge,” said Pacquiao of the super bout, amid reports that he may end up losing the fight since de la Hoya is taller, heavier and has a longer reach compared to him.

De la Hoya, meanwhile, told Pacquiao to be “ready” for battle.

“I want to look into your eye, on December 6, I want you to be ready like you always are. I want you to fight hard,” the Golden Boy said.

‘Hindi ako susuko’

The press conference in San Francisco was part of the six-city US tour for the Pacquiao-de la Hoya battle in Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

During the launch in New York’s Liberty Island on October 1, Pacquiao said he will give his “100 percent” for the epic battle.

“I promise I will fight with all of my heart and that I will give everything I have,” he said.

Ever the patriot, Pacquiao the Army reservist, said he dedicates the fight to the people of the Philippines.

“When I take that walk to the ring to fight Oscar, I will carry all the people of The Philippines — the entire country — on my shoulders,” he said.

De la Hoya has said that he expects the December 6 clash with Pacquiao to be “long and fun.”

“Be ready for a long, fun fight… I say fun because with Manny Pacquiao, there is no boring fight and that’s what I’m looking forward to,” de la Hoya said last week.

Pacquiao, for his part, said, “”Tatayo ako hangga’t may hininga, hindi susuko.” With reports from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

Update on De la Hoya v. Pacquiao fight

(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

Latest on Pacquiao v dela Hoya fight, Dec 6

Arum: Left-handed Pacquiao to pose problems for de la Hoya

 

By DENNIS GASGONIA, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/10/2008 12:01 AM

 

Manny Pacquiao’s fighting stance will pose a “very big problem” for international boxing superstar Oscar de la Hoya when they meet inside the ring in Las Vegas, Nevada come December 6.

Top Rank executive promoter Bob Arum, who used to promote de la Hoya’s fights before the boxer eventually decided to become a matchmaker himself, said the Mexican-American has difficulties in handling southpaws.

 

“Oscar as I said time and time again, always has problems with left handers. His entire career he’s only fought two southpaws. One was [Hector] Camacho … and [Pernell] Whitaker,” Arum told dzSR Sports Radio during an interview Tuesday.

 

Arum said though de la Hoya managed to win over the two boxers, the six-division champ had trouble dominating them and to think that he was still at his peak when he fought Camacho and Whitaker.

 

“So I’m very confident with Manny’s chances…  the way he throws his punches, he’s faster than Oscar, he’s elusive,” said Arum.

 

The Top Rank head honcho added that he will be providing Pacquaio’s trainer Freddie Roach copies of de la Hoya’s fights against Camacho and Whitaker. This way, he said, they will see de la Hoya’s disadvantages against southpaws.

 

Mexicans love Manny

Meanwhile, Arum echoed Roach’s claim that Pacquiao is more popular among Mexicans compared to de la Hoya.

 

“Manny has endeared himself to Mexicans because he’s conducted himself as a gentleman and he fights like a Mexican. Manny has tremendous fans among the Mexicans,” he said.

 

Roach earlier said that de la Hoya has never been accepted by the true Mexican fans from Mexico.

 

“Mexican-Americans yes, but not Mexicans,” said the hall-of-fame trainer.

 

“I think to some extend he may have more fans than Oscar does among Mexicans,” said Arum.

 

The 12-rounder non-title match between Pacquiao and de la Hoya was dubbed as “The Dream Match”.

It is slated to take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 6.

 

“It started out as a fantasy, Larry Merchant suggested it and then ESPN ran with it and it was a dream nobody though it would happen and now it‘s a reality. Everybody liked that title,” said Arum.