Freddie Roach: Manny Pacquiao's Fight With Oscar De La Hoya Will Be Decided by Speed

Manny Pacquiao is widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but he's an underdog in his December 6 fight against Oscar De La Hoya because De La Hoya is bigger than Pacquiao.

But Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, told me today that he thinks the size difference between the fighters has been overblown, and that speed will win this fight.

"He's handling the bigger sparring partners well," Roach said. "When I saw how he handled the bigger sparring partners, I was very pleased."

Roach said Pacquiao weighs 151 pounds right now, he'll easily make the 147-pound limit for the fight, and he'll walk into the ring at about 150 pounds.

"We have him on a diet with a lot of protein to keep his weight stabilized," Roach said. "He's been about the same weight in camp. We didn't do any weightlifting to make him bigger because I believe speed wins this fight. His body fat is 6% and his weight is really good."

Roach said he expects De La Hoya will weigh about 160 pounds when he walks into the ring, adding, "I think speed wins this fight, not size. It's not an issue at all."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-10-2008 @ 10:27PM

Maxi said...

Yeah, Roach is indeed right!!! Advantage in size and height doesn't matter at all for Manny Pacquiao when he collides wuth ODLH on Dec 6! It is the SPEED that will spell the difference between Pacman and ODLH during their much awaited dream match. The younger Pacman will demolish the older ODLH with his tremendous HAND SPEED, POWERFUL PUNCHES & LONG LASTING STAMINA!

11-27-2008 @ 1:20PM

Escobar Bannanas said...

Speed is the factor you say in the fight?.Speed can be alterd in the fight buy brutal damage, to be specific "speed can decrease buy a ODLH left hook".Again speed has a time limit.

11-27-2008 @ 1:32PM

escobar B. said...

you say demolish odlh, you mean you wish.shhh;Look at the history,you have to remember JM>marquez almost knocked out your boy, the probelm is pacman has no defense and a ego as big as your mother. ODLH will show his experiance and tactics,remember he is the defensive Wizard,if you know boxing.

11-11-2008 @ 1:58AM

munding dong said...

With everything being equal (both fighters are in excellent condition and they can take a punch), i absolutely agree with Roach that speed is the deciding factor in this fight.

11-19-2008 @ 3:54AM

FilipinoPride said...

Theirs no doubt Manny will kill ODLH on Dec. 6!!! I'm not saying this because i am a Filipino i am saying these because ODLH is old, he is not fast as before and Manny is the stronger guy and the speed of Manny and his power is to much for ODLH..Manny win..brutal KO in round 9...Mabuhay ang Pilipinas..P.S Vic Darchinyan stop talking that you are the best in the boxing world just remember that our very own Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire whoop your ass already that's why your promoter Gary Shaw don't want a rematch between the both of you because he knows what will going to happen to you hahaha...

11-11-2008 @ 6:22AM

nesvieil said...

speed willbe neutralized by reached!

11-11-2008 @ 8:29AM

malcolm morrell said...

Speed+Power=Storm, I just wondering if pacman storm can devastate de la hoya, Thats the hype of this bout, It really drive your imagination.

11-11-2008 @ 10:54AM

dongski said...

while pcman has speed & power, odlh will not be the most popular boxer in the world for nothing...he's great & smart...think stamina will decide the outcome come dec. 6. as filipino i still go for pacquiao

11-12-2008 @ 4:08AM

rocky said...

100% because of speed an Asian warrior the Pacman will win Dec 6 fight and demolish an Americans the Golden Boy. Filipino fighter will make history in boxing this really dream match which I already dreaming most of the night for once of a lifetime and one of a kind match-up!

11-11-2008 @ 3:29PM

Dandansoy said...

This is the biggest challenge for Pacman, his determination and preparation plus speed and strength can make his dream match a victory for him and for his boxing fans. Good luck Pacman. Show "no fear" and I beleive you'll win this fight.

11-12-2008 @ 2:27AM

Edi said...

I think all the Advocates of Manny P are correct, speed will win the fight. What adds to this notion is that de la hoy is becoming old, however, I think he learned a Valuable lesson with mayweather( where speed and accuracy was the factor) But, he regrets how he didn't use his jab! knowing that's how he had mayweather on peril. For all hoy fans, hope he jabs. And for all manny fanns, Hope de la hoya does the same mistake with pacquiao and that Pacquiao is just as a devastating and quick as before.

11-13-2008 @ 1:31AM

manuel maurey alvarez said...

in dec 6,if manny keep his speed and many punch like he did in david diaz fight,oscar de la hoya have a bigger problem.......i will predict that manny will win this fight because of his SPEED,MANY COMBINATION and his BIG HEART to win for his countrymen in the philippines........goodluck manny

11-21-2008 @ 8:09PM

eric said...

how many mexican does it take to take down manny.thats wat the purpose of this fight.if manny fight like mayweather jr that night, then manny has a good chance to win."salvesam"

11-22-2008 @ 6:31PM

donnie isaac celerinos said...

manny will surely win because of speed,power,flexibility,agile,strong determination,faith,all-out-support of his countrymen and even around the world. Height and weight could be an advantage but these are all off-setted by extraordinary stamina and extraordinary talent of pacman. However, on the part of Oscar dela Hoya, lossing the fight does,nt affect whatsoever because as a promoter in business he will have a bigger sympathy proving that in boxing it can motivates lighthier weight to move further depending on his talent and ability.

12-01-2008 @ 10:38PM

I am confident to see manny winning over oscar dela hoya. But the aftermath of this fight, the two fighters becomes more be acquianted to each other and have bigger respect by each other.
The good news to predict is that: they would be the key role in future boxing big promotions; e.i.: Golden Boy Promotion and the MP PROMOTION. Manny can now afford to finance elite promotion in boxing and the more pilipino boxers will rise into fame. While on the other hand, the Golden Boy Promotion will have also stabilize their own. Thus, in the future big fights will be Golden Boy Promotion vs. MPPROMOTIONS.......oH ,,, WHAT AN EXCITING !!!!!!!!!!

11-29-2008 @ 10:12AM

escobar Bannanas said...

you must dream a lot,you need to stop playing pacman and understand that he will be knocked out trust me you are a fool to think he has the defence against the the """"GOLDEN BOY""""

12-04-2008 @ 9:40AM

DinoFB said...

You forgot power! Speed and power will be the Pacman's assets. His stamina will play a big role if the fight goes the distance. If any of these fail, then expect a major diassapointment.