DE LA HOYA LEARNS FROM PACQUIAO’S TRAINING
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Apr 2007
Oscar De La Hoya, preparing for his classic battle with undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 6 (Manila Time) says he has learned from the training methods adopted by Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao and his celebrated trainer Freddie Roach.
De La Hoya said in an interview telecast by HBO in its pre-fight series “I’ve been thinking how Manny Pacquiao, another fighter Freddie trains, always comes out in tremendous shape and never gets tired and he throws punches like there is no tomorrow.”
De La Hoya revealed that the first time he worked out with Roach he said “now I know how he does it. Its because of Freddie.” However, De La Hoya didn’t reveal what it was that was so special about Roach’s training methods which gave Pacquiao such a big edge over his opponents.
The world light middleweight champion said as a result of working with Roach he is “in tremendous shape” adding that “I don’t think I’ve ever been in such great shape.” De La Hoya said he and Roach were “prepared for anything” against Mayweather. He said they were basically ready for a boxing war in the ring.”
Mayweather, Ring Magazine’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world said that in most fights “I’m always dishing out so I’m not really worried about going out there and taking punishment." Referring to De La Hoya’s advantage in weight, Mayweather who is moving up to fight at 154 pounds stressed that “weight doesn’t win fights – smarts, a good team and having a good mental game-plan and being in tremendous shape. That’s what wins fights, especially big fights.”
Big fights cant get any bigger than “The World Awaits” which has been described by Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer as “unlike any fight anyone has ever seen, in and out of the ring, from the initial press conference to the final bell. Given the caliber of the fighters and the high stakes involved, we have no doubt that this will be the biggest boxing event of all-time and one that will go down in the history books as such.”
For Filipino boxing fans who will follow the action on the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN which has the exclusive television rights, the coverage over Channel 2 will have the added attraction of a crucial WBO world title eliminator between emerging ring sensation and world No.1 Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and No.2 ranked Sergio Medina of Argentina. Also featured in another supporting bout will be AJ “Bazooka” Banal who makes his US debut against Mexican KO artist Juan Alberto Rosas who has 22 knockouts in 25 wins with only 2 defeats.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Meet Jayr Raquinel: The Filipino Sensation Taking the Super Flyweight Division by Storm
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 10 Nov 2025NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025