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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. 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. 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. "My power is incredible right now," he added. "It’s fast and it’s explosive." "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." "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." ( Published on December 5, 2008 in Asian Journal Northern California p. A1 ) 
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.
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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