PACQUIAO RELIES ON ?GOD? AND ROACH FOR WIN VS DE LA HOYA
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 05 Dec 2008
LAS VEGAS, Nevada ? Manny Pacquiao has shown a tremendous devotion to God as he admitted that he prays a lot for ?the most important fight of my life? against the extremely popular Oscar De La Hoya in a 12-round ?Dream Match? on December 6 at the MGM Grand, here.
Aside form his spiritual preparations, Pacquiao also relies heavily on the wisdom of his prized trainer and adopted father Freddie Roach who has assured him ?De La Hoya could not anymore pull the trigger? thus he can knock out the 10-time world champion in six different weight categories in their non-title duel.
?My advantage is, Freddie Roach knows the weaknesses and many other things about De La Hoya,? Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs) also stressed that he never missed his regular ?habit? of always communing with God. Aside from being physically prepared for the historic shootout with the East L.A.-based De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KOs), Pacquiao said he is spiritually ready, as well.
The best boxer pound-for-pound boxer repeated his mysticism in the podium during the press conference which caught the attention of CEO Richard Schaefer and De La Hoya himself who were seated on Pacquiao?s right side.
Pacquiao has indicated that he loves to fight De La Hoya in a toe-to-toe slugfest ?because that is my style.?
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has promised a knockout win for his ward in the ninth or 10th round. ?Pacquiao is quicker. He has the speed and speed kills,? the 78-year-old promoter reiterated after the final press conference December 3.
World middleweight champion Bernard ?The Executioner? Hopkins, the only man to beat De La Hoya by technical knockout (TKO) on September 18, 2004, however, disagreed with all those who believed that Pacquiao will upset the actor-cum-boxer who won the United States? lone boxing gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
?Do they have amnesia?? the 43 Hopkins hollered. ?There is no way a smaller boxer can beat the bigger boxer and Pacquiao will be badly beaten by the heavier De La Hoya.?
Hopkins said no other boxer today can demolish De La Hoya in the same fashion when he put the Golden Boy on the canvas also at the MGM Grand four years ago.
Hopkins also cautioned Pacquiao to watch out for De La Hoya?s ?wicked? left hook which had sent to dreamland former Olympian Fernando Vargas (TKO 11) and the talkative Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga (KO 6).
Hopkins said Vargas and Mayorga also packed wallop in both fists and are heavier than Pacquiao.
?Look what happened to them, guys?? Hopkins concluded.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025DAY FOUR: SHAW DELIVERS GREATNESS TO JOIN ALCAIDE, CAPITO AND SEVASTYANOV IN STELLAR SEMI-FINAL LINEUP
Fri, 24 Oct 2025