Philippine Sports News and Updates

With just a week away from his highly anticipated “Dream Match” with Oscar de la Hoya on December 6, Manny Pacquiao is now fine-tuning the final aspect of his 10-week training: mental focus.

“Ang pisikal na aspeto ng aking training ay halos matatapos na,” the Filipino champion said in his column Kumbinasyon published on PhilBoxing.com. “Lumaki rin po ang aking katawan at proportion ito sa aking height kaya hindi naman tayo madedehado sa timbang.”

Pacquiao said now that the physical training is nearing to its close, his team will gradually lighten his sparring rounds and help him concentrate on his mental focus.

In a separate article, Hall-of-Famer coach Freddie Roach said he is trying his best to guide Pacquiao to a win over his former fighter de la Hoya.

Roach told Skysports.com that Pacquiao’s work ethic, stamina and ability to improvise makes it easy for him to provide guidance.

"Manny not only has the discipline and the stamina to follow a script in the ring, he has also become a master at improvising,” he said.

He also marveled on Pacquiao’s speed to absorb what was taught to him.

"Manny can flat-out fight three minutes of every round for 12 rounds and he picks up a new lesson the first time it's shown to him," said Roach.

On the other hand, he said, de la Hoya’s time in boxing is quickly running out.

"Oscar is 35 and a part-time fighter," said Roach. "It's obvious that father time is catching up with him.

He said it is unwise for a “part-time” boxer to keep fighting until his “old age”.

"You don't have to look any further than these four examples: Rocky Marciano ending Joe Louis' career, Larry Holmes ending Muhammad Ali's career, Terry Norris ending Sugar Ray Leonard's career and Oscar de la Hoya ending Julio Cesar Chavez's career,” Roach enumerated.

These factors, said Roach, makes him confident that the “National Fist” will emerge triumphant after the final bell.

Pacquiao’s Dream Match with de la Hoya is scheduled to take place on December 6 at the MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

- Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS