Freddie Roach: I'm Confident Manny Pacquiao Will Knock Oscar De La Hoya Out

Trainer Freddie Roach prepared Oscar De La Hoya for last year's fight against Floyd Mayweather, but this time around he's training Manny Pacquiao, and he told me he feels certain that Pacquiao will beat De La Hoya when they fight on December 6:

"I don't think size wins this fight. I think speed does. Oscar was once the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and he's not anymore because he's older. When we get older our skills diminish and he's not the same fighter he once was. I'm very confident Manny Pacquiao will knock him out in this fight.

I asked Roach whether he was sure Pacquiao had the power to knock out a bigger man.
"I think we can break him down," Roach said. "I think we can fight a fast pace and push him. I don't think Oscar can last 12 rounds with Pacquiao."

As for the personal relationships involved, Roach acknowledged that there's some awkwardness between himself and De La Hoya, seeing as he once trained Oscar and is now training someone else to beat Oscar, but he said that's no problem for him, especially considering how much he loves Pacquiao.

"Manny's like a son to me," Roach said. "He's been very close. I've had him for seven years. Oscar and I had one fight together, we get along very well, he treated me well. I have no problem with Oscar. I consider him a friend, but right now since we're in opposite corners, there's a little tension, a little talk back and forth. But he's a good guy. I trained him for the Mayweather fight, I know his weaknesses, I know his strengths and we're going to take advantage of those."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-02-2008 @ 11:15PM

Med Moscare said...

I am confident Manny will pull off victory over the Oscar. Manny at 29 is younger so to speak his speed and strength is the key. Oscar at 35 is older and slower now compared to his hey days.

Good luck Manny, concentrate well on your preparations. Don't forget to include prayer is your daily routine. We Filipinos are behind you. We know you can make it.

Be humble as always.

God speed.

10-03-2008 @ 1:29AM

isaias regis jr said...

the fight between oscar dela hoya and manny pacquoia is actually not a fight of manny but of freddie and orcar. lets watch come december 6, who will win freddie or oscar. freddie adds hype to the fight because his protege manny doesnt talk bad against any of his opponent. good job freddie, you add excitement to the fight. let us just pray manny wont get hurt badly when oscar hit him, so the fight will be more enjoyable and entertaining for the fans.

10-03-2008 @ 2:32AM

Boyman said...

Like Mr. Roach, i'm very confident that Pacman will beat ODLH. There's no way Oscar can handle the blinding speed and the menacing power of Pacman's fists. Pacman will go the body,hit the liver,and break all his ribs. The fight ends with a very convincing knockout due to stinging combinations by Pacman. I dont even think, it's going the distance maybe,if ODLH is lucky--up to the 5th round, Remember, Pacman is very fast but he hits like a heavyweight. Even Mayweather is no match for Pacman. The Pacman And ODLH fight is a mismatch Allright!!!.

10-03-2008 @ 8:17AM

mike said...

Viva Filipinas, Viva Pacquiao. By the way, ODLH, the way he delivered his speech in New York, looked and sounded like a charismatic politician in the mold of Barack Obama. Hope he becomes one in the future. He has has poise. Too bad, Pacquiao will beat him.

10-04-2008 @ 6:41AM

alfred irinco said...

Definitely, Manny will notch up another ladder of adulation as one of greatest PP boxer in history. But some things may be not be perfect, as a fan, i guess lets be more supportive in prayer.

10-07-2008 @ 3:10PM

the professor said...

Yes a mismatch it will be for the smaller manny pacquiao.This guy had trouble beeting a smaller fighter then in juan manual marquez who he never k.o. who was dropped in both there fights 4 times marquez that is.Know he is up on weight to fight a natural 147pd.and even a 154pd. fighter. de la hoya is to big for the smaller pac and being the bigger fighter will show as the fight goes deeper into the rounds manny won't ba able to take those hits for 12. rounds he likes to brawl and if he does that with the bigger de la hoya it will cost manny the fight.de la hoya should be fighting margarito but with his last fight he rather fight the smaller manny then the bigger margarito.Good buisness move because the following manny has from the felipino fans who are great fans.But the golden boy will be to much for manny and it will show in the late rounds.

10-08-2008 @ 1:48PM

bamboo said...

If Floyd's punches couldn't knock out Oscar than I don't see how many will pull that off, if he does I will be impressed.

10-12-2008 @ 1:20AM

JDBreeze1 said...

I don't know about knocking him out, but Pacquiao will definitely win the fight. De La Hoya was done two years ago.

10-12-2008 @ 9:54AM

Willie said...

De La Hoya may be 35 years old but he still packs a wallop.His experience will over come Manny's speed.
Ring savvy is more important than speed. De la hoya will knock out Manny whom I admire for his accomplishments but he is stepping beyond his ability.

11-27-2008 @ 11:42AM

matt ansano said...

Hey guys don't be so over confident about Manny otherwise it will break your heart. Remember the fight between Pavlik 25 and Hopkins 43,Casamayor 36 and Katsidis 27 years old, just to mention a few , Pavlik who added 9 lbs. has an unbeaten record,fast,strong and young but totally beaten by Hopkins who is old, but with much experience.
This will be a good fight though. May the best boxer win, but I will be cheering for Manny Pacquoia.