BATTLE OF CUTMEN LOOMS IN PACQUIAO-DE LA HOYA MATCH
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 28 Nov 2008
LOS ANGELES--It will be a battle between two of the world's best cutmen when Oscar De la Hoya and Manny Pacquiao swap leathers on December 6 in the main event of the "Dream Match" at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Working on De la Hoya's corner will be the legendary Joe Chavez who, apart from being one of the best cutmen in the world, is also arguably the best hand wrapper in the business.
?I mold it to the hand. I use my imagination to think of ways to wrap a hand. I make changes. You have to protect their hands. You wouldn?t send a soldier to war with a dirty rifle,? Chavez once told the media.
Ironically, Chavez was also Pacquiao's cutman in his previous fights against Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, David Diaz and Hector Velazquez.
This time, however, Chavez opted to work with De la Hoya, citing that he had been with the Golden Boy longer than he'd been with Pacquiao.
"Joe Chavez is family to us, to the Wild Card Gym. We have no problem with him working with Oscar. It's all business, nothing personal," clarifies Eric Brown, Roach's assistant at the Wild Card Gym when interviewed yesterday.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, will work with another legendary cutman in Miguel Diaz, whom Roach hired for "Manny's biggest fight of his life." Diaz had worked on the corner of more than 40 world champions either as a trainer or a cutman.
Diaz, 70, of Las Vegas said he was honored to be asked for the job.
"This will be one of the biggest events I've ever been in," Diaz said. "I will do all I can to help Manny. He's a real warrior who fights with all his heart every second of every round. Every member of Manny's team, including me, is convinced we will win on Dec. 6," Diaz told the media recently.
"De La Hoya viene gastado (De La Hoya is spent)," Diaz was quoted as saying by ESPN Deportes when asked about his thoughts about the highly-anticipated 12-round welterweight bout on Dec. 6 in Las Vegas.
"Of course Pacquiao will win over Oscar," said the 70-year-old Diaz, who has worked the corners of more than 40 world champions either as trainer or cutman.
"Manny has shown that he didnt lose power when moving up in weight. His speed will be decisive because Oscar will not be able to adjust to it. Pacquiao is exceptional," said Diaz, who visited the Wild Card Gym the other day and discussed strategies with Roach.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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