DE LA HOYA, PACQUIAO WEIGH-IN TODAY
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 06 Dec 2008
LAS VEGAS--The official weigh-in for tomorrow's "Dream Match" takes place today with both Oscar De la Hoya and Manny Pacquiao set to take to the scales at exactly 3PM (7AM RP time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Pacquiao and De la Hoya are expected to easily make weight, both having gone through rigorious training and preparation at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and Big Bear in California.
Undercard fighters weigh-in starting at 2:15PM, with no less than famed announcer Michael Buffer expected to host the proceedings.
Pacquiao and De la Hoya fight at a stipulated 12-round non-title main event, with the winner expected to next face Britain's Ricky Hatton in England or Dubai.
Referee for tomorrow's main event will be Tony Weeks of Nevada, and should the fight go the distance, judges appointed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission are Adelaide Byrd, Dave Moretti, and Stanley Christodoulou.
There has been a progressive shrinking of the odds in the Las Vegas sportsbooks, with the latest putting De la Hoya a minus 155 favorite to defeat Pacquiao, while the Filipino icon is at plus 125 to frustrate the legendary former Olympic gold medallist.
Earlier in the day, the odds were plus 135 for Pacquiao, and minus 165 for De la Hoya.
Meanwhile, politicians have already started arriving in Las Vegas, with a big bulk of them planing in yesterday at the McCarran International Airport here on a direct flight from Manila.
"Some are taking a low-profile arrival here, opting to avoid the media, while others have hugged the limelight," said a source, referring to ex-Gov. Chaving Singson who joined the presidential table at the final press conference held the other day at the MGM Grand.
A long list of dignitaries, Filipino actors and actresses, Congressmen, Governors, Mayors and even barangay captains are in Las Vegas to witness the biggest boxing event in history involving an Asian fighter. Even entertainment writers are here in Sin City to watch the fight, their plane fares and fight tickets apparently paid for by Pacquiao.
The big piece of showbiz news here is Pacquiao's P500,000 contribution to the upcoming baptism of child of a dramatic actress from Manila and her actor husband.
"Pacquiao has such a very generous heart. I hope he doesn't overdo this to his disadvantage. Even his upcoming Pacquiao clan reunion is being attended by people who are just relatives of distant relatives. Grabe," said a source who asked not to be named.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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