Saturday, October 11, 2008 Pacquiao now packs added power
OSCAR De La Hoya, better watch out.
Manny Pacquiao appeared to be getting more power with his added weight and still got his trademark speed, two main weapons in his armory that put to sleep many of his opponents, including great Mexican fighters.
The fact that Freddie Roach wore a body shield during the Filipino boxer's training days ago at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood is an indication Pacquiao packs more power these days.
Pacquiao, the current World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion, will climb two weight classes to fight De La Hoya at 147 pounds on December 6 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
When the fight was sealed, some boxing analysts immediately branded the fight as a boxing circus, an event that was just all about money.
Citing De La Hoya's big advantage in height and size, they say that Pacquiao stand no chance against boxing's Golden Boy.
But Pacquiao and Roach believe otherwise.
"I'm the younger and faster boxer," Pacquiao declared.
Roach, in several media interviews, repeated time and again that his ward has what it takes to bring down a giant like De La Hoya.
The punch mitts routine between Roach and Pacquiao Wednesday seemed to bolster their belief.
According to Philboxing.com, Pacquiao looked more solid this time compared to his training sessions during previous fights.
"He is muscle bound and his body mass appears compact," reported Dr. Ed de la Vega as posted in the Philboxing.com website.
Even Roach acknowledged his fighter's added strength by wearing a body shield to protect himself from controlled body punches that may hurt him.
