Thursday, September 11, 2008 Arum: Pacquiao has the edge against Oscar
SOME people believe that Filipino ring idol Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will have a difficult time fighting the legendary “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya because the huge size difference that pose between the two boxing superstars but Top Rank promoter Bob Arum thinks it will be the other way around.
Arum feels that Pacquiao will have the advantage in their dream fight on Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas because De La Hoya had difficulties with southpaws in his past skirmishes.
“Oscar, as I said time and time again, always has problems with left handers. His entire career he’s only fought two southpaws. One was (Hector) Camacho … and (Pernell) Whitaker,” said Arum in a report posted on abs-cbnnews.com.
De La Hoya both defeated Hector Camacho and Pernell Whitaker via unanimous decision. His last battle with a lefty was 11 years ago against Camacho at the 147-pound weight.
Chance
Arum firmly believes that the present pound-for-pound king has a huge chance in beating the six division world champion.
“So I’m very confident with Manny’s chances… the way he throws his punches, he’s faster than Oscar, he’s elusive,” told Arum.
Arum said that he will be giving Pacquiao famed trainer Freddie Roach with the videos of De La Hoya’s fights against the two southpaws so that Roach can locate De La Hoya’s Achilles’ heel.
Another Pinoy
Meanwhile, Pacquiao promotional venture in the US, which is tied with Sycuan Promotions, added another Filipino in the fight card on Sept. 25 at the Sycuan Resort Casino Hotel in California.
Aside from Bernabe Concepcion who will be seeing action against Giovanni Caro and Elorde Gym’s Dennis Laurente who will be facing off with Arturo Urena, former World Boxing Council champion Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria was also added to the fight card according to a report posted on philboxing.com.
Viloria will be facing Javier Lagos of Mexico. (EKA)
