PACQUIAO NOW WEIGHS 154 LBS
By Edwin G. Espejo
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 11 Sep 2008
GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? With just a couple of days before he flies to the US to promote his December 6 bout with Oscar dela Hoya and start heavy training, Manny is just seven pounds over the agreed 147-pound weight limit of their mega bout.
Pacquiao said he feels comfortable with his current weight although he expects to tip the scales at 143 pounds a day before his megabuck date with Dela Hoya at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
The Filipino World Boxing Council lightweight champion will be going up in weight against Dela Hoya who has been fighting at the welterweight and middleweight for most of his career.
The southpaw sensation from this city said he expects Dela Hoya to press for the action in the early going of their fight.
"But I will use my speed to frustrate him," Pacquiao said during a dinner he hosted at his residence for the local press here.
Pacquiao also met Wednesday evening his one-time American trainer Rick Staheli, who paid the Filipino champ a visit.
Staheli, who guided Pacquiao when he won the World Boxing Council flyweight crown via an eight-round knockout over Chatchai Sasakul in Thailand in 1998, said his former ward has an even chance of pulling a win against Dela Hoya.
"Manny should keep in mind Oscar has the legs of a 36-year old. He should give Dela Hoya different angles and keep away from harm's length in the early rounds," the long-time Philippine resident Staheli said.
Staheli, who now described himself as a businessman, also advised Manny to be flexible with his game plan when facing Dela Hoya.
"Dela Hoya is one of the smartest boxers of his generation. He will use his height advantage against Manny," he added.
The former Pacquiao trainer said Manny could carry his speed and agility even if he climbs the ring at 152 or 153 pounds.
Beyond that, he said, Manny could be in trouble.
Showing his rippling muscles despite ballooning to his current walking weight, Pacquiao said he is confident he could defeat Oscar dela Hoya.
Manny reportedly climbed the ring at 147 pounds on the night he demolished former WBC lightweight king in 10 rounds of masterful display of boxing and punching prowess in June this year for his first and only fight in the said weight class.
A former light flyweight, Manny held titles in the flyweight, super bantamweight, super featherweight and lightweight classes becoming the only Filipino and Asian to achieve that rare feat.
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