PACQUIAO WILL USE A NEW HIGH-TECH MOUTHGUARD FOR THE BRADLEY FIGHT
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 03 Jun 2012
Back in February when Freddie Roach was asked by Examiner?s Chris Robinson if he saw anything special in Tim Bradley, Roach replied- ?He is a dirty fighter, well, a physical fighter. He uses his head, elbows and so forth."
Being part of the team that assures Pacquiao is properly protected from unnecessary injuries when he fights, Roach?s statements lit a light bulb in my head.
As a result, I decided to design a new mouthguard for Pacquiao using today?s newest technology that would address the well being of his teeth and their surrounding structures in response to Bradley?s alleged dirty tactics.
The Filipino spit fire must have a specially designed high-tech mouthpiece that can protect him from injuries if he receives blows via a head butt or elbows, intentional or otherwise.
Head butts and elbows tend to cause more damage to the oral structures compared to the padded gloves. It does not take an Einstein to know that.
Therefore, at the very first opportunity I had to speak to Pacquiao when he came to LA after the Bradley fight was finalized, I advised him that a new mouthguard with a design different from the ones I previously made for him is necessary to address the allegations about Bradley?s tactics.
Unlike Roach, I can not unequivocally say that indeed Bradley intentionally use dirty tactics. I have seen him fight and I know he tends to lead with his head sometimes. Since his fight with Nate Campbell I saw him at least fight three times and I observed that he apparently corrected that bad habit to some extent.
But that is not to say that he would not revert to his old habits particularly if he gets far behind Pacquiao in points when they fight in June at the MGM.
So to put that issue to rest, I came up with a new design for Pacquiao?s mouthguard for the Tim Bradley fight. The new design is geared to specifically address the impact from forces coming from a non-padded source, i.e. the head and elbows.
Although I can not fully divulge the trade secrets we use at our offices to fabricate the custom mouthguards that are used by our patients, suffice it to say that Pacquiao?s new mouthguard conforms with the specifications recommended by many of the world?s authorities in mouthguard design, fabrication and fitting ? and more.
Pacquiao?s new mouthguard has a special high tech material sandwiched between the multi layers of materials used to fabricate it. The object of the design is to provide an extra measure of protection. The material is very thin but very strong. It is also lightweight and compatible with the special plastic mouthguard material we use. Therefore, it enhances the shock-absorbing function of the mouthgaurd.
Now I am not promising that this or any of the mouthguards we make can prevent knock-outs. Nor can they totally prevent jaw fractures and concussions.
No mouthguard regardless of design cannot do that.
But I can assure anyone, that more than ever come June 9th, Manny Pacquiao?s teeth and their surrounding structures will be well protected by his new mouthguard.
Today at the Wildcard Gym I finally got to see Pacquiao spar with his new blue colored mouthguard on. He went five very tough and hard hitting rounds with a Russian sparmate who is obviously bigger than him.
Suffice it to say, I am pleased that the mouthguard performed as well I wanted it to. Pacquiao appeared comfortable using it. He did not have any problems about breathing, a factor that was considered strongly when I designed his new mouthguard. Most importantly, it fitted so well and tight assuring the Team it will never come off during combat.
After the sparring Freddie Roach gave me a thumb?s up signal and said:-?The new mouthguard is very good.? Nonoy Neri echoed Roach?s good words by saying:- ?Okay na okay Doc.?
The new blue colored mouthguard will be the primary mouthguard for the Bradley fight. The others that I also made for him will serve as back-up as in Nevada rules says each boxers must have two mouthguards ready and available during the fight.
With that I have no doubt Pacquiao will win this fight. He is well prepared from the standpoint of training, game plan and conditioning.
Now, he has a new mouthguard to address some of the issues associated with Bradley?s alleged head butting. For sure his teeth and their surrounding structures will be well protected.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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