Friday, September 05, 2008 Oscar determined to make 147-lb. limit
FOR every single pound “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya will weigh more than the contracted 147-pound limit on the weigh-in of his much anticipated mega fight against Filipino boxing superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, he is set to pay a penalty $3 million.
However, that doesn’t worry the six-division champion and his cohorts because they are confident that he will make the 147 lb limit.
“Make it $5 million it doesn’t matter. He is going to make the weight,” said Golden Boy Promotions vice-president Eric Gomez in a report posted at philboxing.com.
“De La Hoya is a consummate professional and he knows what he has to do. He is a veteran and he knows that it’s very important for him to be well within his weigh.”
As early as now, De La Hoya has started his training in a pre-camp in Puerto Rico and will initiate his training camp in Big Bear in October for the battle against the pound-for-pound king on Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
On the other hand, renowned Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach will refuse the fight if De La Hoya will come in at 150 lbs in the weigh-in to protect the safety of his pugilist.
“I know I’d be under tremendous pressure and I know my guy will say, ‘Screw the weight. Let’s fight,’ but my job is to protect the fighter. If De La Hoya comes in at 150, I’ll say ‘No fight!’” Roach told sweetscience.com.
Roach reiterated that the weight that had been agreed upon should be the weight that both boxing stars should be fighting in.
“I wouldn’t put it past him to try something like buying his way to 150 but three pounds over is a huge difference. When he fought (Steve) Forbes he was supposed to make 150 and he came in at 151 and they gave it to him.
I’m not doing that. A contract is a contract. The contract weight is 147. Make it. I want him to work as much as possible.’’ (EKA)
