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The Bus to the ‘Oscar’

Pinoys to invade Vegas

The bad economy is not going to stop Pinoy Jun Regalado from watching the Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya match this Saturday in Las Vegas.

"This is the biggest fight ever," he said. "It’s obvious this is a dream match."

The US economy may be sluggish but this once in a lifetime match has many Filipinos opening their pocket books. From the $1,500 seats to the flight and hotel rooms, Filipinos are shelling out their hard earned dough to watch Pacquiao go against an icon like De La Hoya.

And this may be the best time to do so, said Top Rank President Bob Arum

"Las Vegas has been struggling to bring in people [because of the economic downturn]," he said. "[But hotel] rooms are at an all time low now. There are plenty of rooms all over town. This is an opportunity to come, enjoy the weekend, watch the fight on closed circuit or live inside the arena. This is a good opportunity to come to Vegas."

According to the Oil Price Information Service, the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Los Angeles County fell to under $2 for the first time in two years. The $2 a gallon price is 21 cents less than a week ago, $1 a month ago and $2.62 less than the record high of $4.626 set on June 21.

The low gas prices means that driving to Las Vegas for the fight may be more cost efficient.

Regalado expects more than "half of the arena" to be filled with Filipino fans.

"I think there’s about 20,000 seats at the MGM arena, I think 12,000 will be Filipino, the majority," he said.

Arum said that there are still a lot of people who plan on staying home to watch the fight "Whenever times are bad, entertainment does very well," he said. "On a pay-per-view fight even one with a price tag of $54.95 it is very inexpensive especially if you follow the lead of the Filipino and Hispanic groups who watch the fight in groups, the evening is cheaper than going to a movie."

Filipino 32-year-old Joseph Sabino said that is exactly what he’s planning to do. He said he would have gone to Las Vegas to watch the Pacquiao fight live or in closed circuit however, he has work.

"There’s going to be like 10 or 15 people at my house," he said. "This [fight] is going to make it or break it for Pacquiao. It’ll prove that he’s the best fighter, the best Filipino fighter ever."

Arum said that although people are still apprehensive about spending money especially in these economic dire times, people should try to make it out to Las Vegas anyways.

"There is nothing as exciting as going to Vegas for a big fight," he said.

Pay-Per-View deals

Fight sponsors Coca-Cola, Tecate beer, and Cazadores tequila are each offering mail in rebate coupons worth $10 to $20 toward the cost of the $54.95 pay-per-view price.

The rebate coupons can be found on six-packs of Coke’s Full Throttle energy drink and 18-packs of Tecate beer. Multiple coupons can be combined, according to Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer.

Closed circuit tickets

For those who plan to head to Las Vegas but don’t have the dinero to watch the fight live inside the arena, several hotels (MGM properties) are hosting closed circuit telecasts of the bout. Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Circus Circus, TI, Monte Carlo, Excalibur, Luxor and New York-New York will all host a closed circuit viewing of the "Dream Match." Tickets are on sale at each individual property’s box office outlets or by phone with a major credit card at (866) 799-7711. The price to watch the closed circuit at the MGM Grand is $100 for preferred viewing and $60 for regular seating. Tickets are available at any MGM Grand ticket office outlets at the Concierge desk and the KÀ Theatre box office.  Tickets also are available by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (702) 474-4000.

 

 

 The Bust

 

De la Hoya Gets Statue, Pacquiao Gets Shirt

The Golden Boy Oscar De La is now bronze and the pound-4-pound king Manny Pacquiao branded.

A 14-foot bronze statue of De La was unveiled last Dec. 1 in front of the Staples Center in Downtown. Meanwhile, not to be left short, this Saturday, Nike will unveil a special Pacquiao t-shirt to commemorate his match against the Golden Boy.

In front of a mid-afternoon sparse crowd, De La Hoya looked amazed the moment officials pulled the black cover to unveil the large statue. The 14-foot bronze statue shows De La with both arms raised up in victory standing on a corner rope.

"Wow. I think I’m going to have to grow my hair a little longer," joked De La about the likeness of the statue.

De La Hoya, a Mexican-American born in LA, joins other Los Angeles greats Ervin "Magic" Johnson and Wayne Gretzky as the only figures to have a statue in front of the Downtown arena.

"We believe this man has already earned iconic status in our community," said Tim Leiweke, chairman of AEG, which owns and operates Staples Center. "We at Staples Center and LA Live are very proud to be able to go to work everyday [and] very proud of the 20 million people who will go through this campus everyday to honor who we consider one of the greatest leaders, entertainers and certainly one of the best boxers ever from this community."

De La Hoya was almost in tears when he took the microphone. He spoke about how much the statue means to him but most importantly to the young kids who share his background.

"Never in my wildest dream did I ever imagine standing here and having my own statue next to the great Wayne Gretzky and Magic Johnson," said De La Hoya. "Kids are going to see that [statue] and say ‘wow Oscar De La Hoya from East LA made it. He made it through a lot of hard work, with a lot of dedication and never giving up. Maybe one day I’ll have my own statue.’ That’s what this represents. All the kids that are going to walk, all the people going to the Staples Center it’s going to mean something special."

Nike Pacquiao Shirts

In anticipation of the biggest bout in Pacquiao’s career, Nike, a Pacquiao sponsor, will honor the Filipino icon with a commemorative t-shirt to unveil this Saturday.

The t-shirt will only be available at the Nike Store At The Montalbán in Hollywood.

"Manny is a Nike athlete whose presence resonates around the world, particularly in Los Angeles," said Tanya Lopez, a Nike media relations manager. "In creating an exclusive shirt for him, we wanted to offer our support and appreciation for him, as well as the Filipino community in LA."

"Manny Pacquiao has achieved great heights as an athlete and has been catapulted as an icon into the international boxing scene," added Mae Dichupa, Nike Philippines Country Marketing Manager. "Nike is in full support of what could probably be the greatest fight of his life this December."

Portions of the T-shirt will go to Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) Temple Gateway Youth Sports League on behalf of Nike’s Let Me Play program.

SIPA Youth Activities Coordinator Ernie Tamayo said they are expecting a lot of Filipinos to come out for this Saturday’s event.

"This isn’t just about Nike or Pacquiao but for the community as a whole," said Tamayo. "There’s a unifying aspect of this match. We want families to come and just have a great time. It’s a place to dialogue, see old friends, and support their national fighter."

The event at the Nike store at the Montalbán will run from 12 pm to 5pm.

As the Manny Pacquiao fan headquarters the Montalbán will also have Pacquiao’s fight night gear on display, feature a DJ, and offer a free Pacquiao giveaway for the first 50 attendees, according to Nike officials.

 

 

The Bustle

 

Pacquiao, De La Hoya ready for 'Dream Match'

The most anticipated match of the year is only a few days away. The "Dream Match" between Oscar De La and Manny Pacquiao is set to converge this Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

"This is our Superbowl," said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer during a Monday morning conference call. "These two are the most exciting fighters of our generation."

Indeed, just like two Superbowl teams, these two fighters are waiting to get at it in front of a worldwide audience.

The Golden Boy and the Pride of the Philippines are not only fighting for bragging rights but country pride as well.

Pacquiao (47-3-2 35 KO’s) is known as the Mexicutioner, who could add another Mexican boxer as a notch on his belt and continue his glorious standing amongst the Filipino people. De La (39-5 30 KO’s), the pride of East LA, can set a whole country in mourning with a win against Pacquiao.

Downtown at the unveiling of his very own bronze statue in front of the Staples Center, De La said that he’s stronger than ever and ready to face off against the arguably pound-4-pound king Pacquiao.

"I feel extremely strong [at 147 pounds]," said De La Hoya. "My speed is just incredible. I’m actually pretty surprised [about my speed]. I owe it all to my diet and my nutritionist, who is incredible. He made this plan for me that I could eat all the foods I want, the right foods, and still stay strong.

"My power is incredible right now," he added. "It’s fast and it’s explosive."

De La Hoya added that making the 147-pound weight limit, a weight that he hasn’t fought in over six years, was no problem.

"I’m in tremendous shape," he said. "Fighters train to make the weight. That’s what fighters do so I could make the weight. I didn’t have to train to make weight. I trained for the fight. That’s the difference."

Meanwhile, just a few miles away at the Wildcard Boxing Club as Pacquiao prepared to board a charter bus with his face on it, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said that after nine weeks of training camp, Pacquiao is itching to get back in the ring.

"He’s 100 percent and ready to go," said Roach to the Asian Journal. "We had our last day of boxing today [Monday]. He sparred four rounds. He’s tired of training and ready to fight."

Roach said that Pacquiao is currently weighing 146 pounds, one pound under the required welterweight limit. He said that Pacquiao would be able to make weight easily and probably gain about four pounds after the weigh in on Friday.

"[He] only has five percent of body fat," added Roach. "He’s in great shape. He’s holding weight really well."

Strategy

It’s no surprise by now that anyone who has ever seen a Pacquiao fight can expect a full out slugfest.

The De La Hoya fight will be no exception.

De La Hoya said he’s expecting an all out war the moment the bell rings.

"That’s why I say this fight is going to be a good fight because Pacquiao is going to come brawling after me, [and] I’m going to brawl," said De La Hoya. "I’m not going to move anywhere. That’s why it’s going to be such a good fight."

He said he’s planning to knock out Pacquiao early.

"That’s the goal that’s the plan," he added. "It’s every fighters dream to knock out their opponent. That’s my motivation."

Roach said that it’s not going to be easy for De La Hoya to knock out Pacquiao. He said that De La Hoya having to lose ten pounds before the fight will have a major impact in the match.

"I really think that Oscar is going to be really weak coming into the fight," he said. "It’s a lot easier to gain weight than lose weight. He hasn’t fought in this weight in six year. He’s [also] never fought wearing eight-ounce gloves in seven years. And we’re going to put [the pressure] on him."

Roach said that Pacquiao also has another advantage. Since Pacquiao’s a southpaw, and De La Hoya’s power is in his left hand, Pacquiao’s natural movement avoids De La Hoya’s left hook power shots.

"We’re planning to go to the body early and break him down," said Roach of their strategy. "I think Manny’s youth will take over late. We’ll knock [De La Hoya] out in the late rounds but that’ll be a bonus of course. I’m anxious. I’m happy. My guy is ready. I can’t wait to get it on."

"Fans should expect a great fight," added Roach. "Oscar’s a warrior and he comes to fight and obviously we know what Manny is all about. It’s going to be a great fight until it’s over."

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published on December 5, 2008 in Asian Journal Northern California p. A1 )

 

Scenes from the pre-fight press conference of Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya held at Las Vegas.  (AJPress/Bobby Macabagdal)

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