Pacquiao fitted with a new mouth guard
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 30 Mar 2007
When Manny Pacquiao gets in the ring, all the details leading to the fight are meticulously taken cared of.
Take for instance, his mouth guard, a protective devise that reduces the possibility of intra-oral injuries as well as possible concussion resulting from his opponent’s punches.
Being a smart and an experienced gladiator, he knows too well that nothing beats a well fitting intra-oral protective devise. Thus, he makes sure that one is made for him for all his fights
The Pacquiao-Solis tiff is no different. Pacquiao, as early as February made arrangements with this writer to have a custom fitted mouth guard made for him. Last Sunday, impressions were taken of his dentition and yesterday evening, a brand new blue and yellow colored custom mouth guard was delivered to him.
Pacquiao will be using his new mouth guard starting today when he spars at the Wildcard Gym. Instructions on its proper use and maintenance, including how to peel it off his teeth in between rounds were given to his trainers, Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri. They in turn will show Justin Fortune how to do it. The same instructions were already given to Freddie Roach.
To many, a mouth guard is a mouth guard. Nothing can be further from the truth!
Custom fitted mouth guards made from an impression of a fighters dentition by a trained dental professional are totally different from all other mouth guards particularly the “boil and bite” mouth guards. They are made following guidelines recommended by the Academy for Sports Dentistry. They have specific thickness is certain areas to allow proper breathing, as well as to provide maximum comfort and protection for the fighters.
Custom fitted mouth guards can not be pushed off by the fighter’s tongue. The trainer needs to remove them. Thus, the instructions were provided to Pacquiao’s trainers.
Fighters using loose fitting mouth guards that they can push off with their tongue are unnecessarily living with danger. Remember Fernando Montiel at the “Moment of Truth” in Cebu? What a pity!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 29 Jan 2026IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 29 Jan 2026TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
Wed, 28 Jan 2026Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 28 Jan 2026JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
Wed, 28 Jan 2026Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Wed, 28 Jan 2026Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 28 Jan 2026Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 28 Jan 2026Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 27 Jan 2026“It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 27 Jan 2026Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado
Tue, 27 Jan 2026Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 27 Jan 2026Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 27 Jan 2026