ROACH SHOULD ALSO THANK DUNDEE FOR THE HONOR
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Nov 2008
Angelo Dundee.
MANILA (Special to PhilBoxing) -- THE were two ways the celebrated boxing trainer Freddie Roach could?ve received the addition of Angelo Dundee to the select soldiers who will work the corner of Oscar de la Hoya in his war against Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines in Las Vegas on Dec. 6.
Roach chose the predictable path.
He brushed off Dundee as an ill-advised move.
He said Dundee would be of no help and could, in fact, mix up Nacho Beristain, the original trainer picked by the Golden Boy camp.
**
On the other hand, Roach could?ve made the gentler gesture.
He could?ve taken a bow.
He should?ve smiled and expressed heartfelt gratitude.
Why? Because, any way you look at it, the addition of a second stellar trainer to pit prizefight wits against him was a rare honor for Roach.
Roach should?ve been flattered at the way he was being feared and treated by the De La Hoya camp.
**
Well, Roach has obviously decided that this is no season to be nice.
It?s a war they?re facing and he?s got no time to be fancy.
He has decided to be extra sharp, stern as needs be.
Roach continued to flash fire and insisted Oscar can no longer pull the trigger.
He also tried to back this assumption with facts, like the overall result of De La Hoya?s recent bouts.
**
He has also laughed off the height and reach advantage of their main foe:
Said Roach: ?Size won?t he a big deal. If one guy has got a height or reach advantage, how hard is it to take that away? Very easy. Manny Pacquiao has the style to take that away. He?s aggressive, he comes forward and, when you get close to a guy with long arms, they need room, it crowds their punches. I?m not worried about size.?
**
At least nothing much has been heard from Pacquiao himself.
Maybe Pacquiao has taken the addition of Dundee at face value?
Who knows, Pacquiao may?ve felt flattered, but he has refused to feel giddy.
For a fact, the coming of Dundee to De La Hoya?s corner should?ve also been taken as a confirmation of Pacquiao?s greatness.
**
By the way, there were those who have refused to view the addition Dundee the way Roach did.
These self-styled experts maintained that Dundee is too seasoned to be caught in the way of Oscar?s main trainer.
In short, Dundee will be there, but he won?t be navigating.
This major function will be left mainly to the tried-and-tested Beristain.
**
It?s very likely that Dundee will be there to provide assistance where and when it would be needed.
Maybe he would be made to tinker with the oxygen tank?
And also with the main De La Hoya engine once it threatens to sputter.
For a fact, Dundee had been proven to do it right during crucial finishes.
He sure knows how to push the right buttons during emergency situations.
**
(GOOBYE MR BATES: American gamefowl breeder Richard L. Bates, who contributed greatly to the upgrade of cockfighting in the Philippines, passed away at the Ospital ng Makati on Monday. He was 76. A longtime Philippine resident who married a Filipina, Bates helped modernize the breeding and conditioning of fighting cocks in the country
Bates, who became a byword in cockfight circles here, lies in state at the Funeraria Paz (inside the Manila Memorial Park), in Sucat, Paranaque. Interment will be announced later. Bates? family and friends request for prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
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