VALERO: I WOULD HAVE KNOCKED OUT OSCAR IN THREE
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Dec 2008
Cebu City -- Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero, who is in the country upon the invitation of Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao to attend Pacquiao's birthday bash last Wednesday in General Santos City, said here last night that if it was him who was fighting Oscar de la Hoya last Dec. 6, he would have finished off De La Hoya within three rounds.
"Oscar is soft as a baby," Valero told PhilBoxing thru his trainer and interpreter Rafael Garcia Jr before the start of formal press conference with the Cebu media at the Parklane Hotel here. "I would have knocked him out in three rounds if I was the one fighting him."
Valero, with a fearsome undefeated record of 24 wins all by knockout 19 of them in the first round, was hired by De La Hoya as a sparring partner at De La Hoya's Big Bear training camp in preparation for the 'Dream Match' fight with Pacquiao. But, according to Valero, he had sparred for only 8 rounds with De La Hoya and then he was dismissed.
Valero, who predicted that Pacquiao will knock out De La Hoya on the eve of the fight, insisted that it was him who gave a black eye on De La Hoya during their sparring session. "That [expletive] is a big liar," Valero blurted out in English when told that De La Hoya announced to all and sundry during the final press conference of the 'Dream Match' at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino that it was Victor Ortiz, a Golden Boy fighter with good potentials, who gave him the shiner on his right eye.
De La Hoya, who held world titles ten times and in six divisions, refused to come out in the 9th round after he was battered by the smaller Pacquiao all evening during their fight on Dec. 6 to mark one of the great upsets in boxing history.
Photo: Edwin Valero (L) and David Diaz at the Parklane Hotel in Cebu City yesterday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024