Roach: Manny Would KO De La Hoya!

Posted by Raymundo Dioses on 07.18.2008

Freddie Roach makes it known what would happen if Oscar ever met Manny Pacquiao. Plus a quick look into their possible career paths for the near future.

Hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach used a radio show, "Sports Chat" to relay to the boxing world that he thinks a fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao should be made, and that Pacquiao would win, via KO.

"When I trained Oscar he was having trouble pulling the trigger and he's a little bit slow. If Stevie Forbes can hit him as easily as he did, I know Pacquiao will knock him out."

This revelation comes about in a time where neither Pacquiao nor De La Hoya have officially signed down to an opponent for their next fight.

Speaking further on the purposed fight, Roach acknowledges the size advantage DLH holds.

"We need a long training camp just to work on the styles of how to beat him because he's a bigger guy be he does have trouble pulling the trigger now. He's not the same Oscar 10 years ago."

Roach didn't hold back during this interview by any means, and even spoke on the complications of Pacquiao signing with Golden Boy, only to end up on the Top Rank end of the promotional business.

"Oscar is probably upset because Manny's controversy about who he signed with, Golden Boy or Top Rank, and the court settlement that happened so Oscar seems to be a little bitter about tha,." Roach said.

Career paths:

Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao just came off a stunning KO victory over David Diaz for the WBC lightweight belt in his first fight in the division.

The Filipino's promoter, Top Rank's Bob Arum, stated he is eyeing a fight with Humberto Soto, but no ink has been penned to a contract.

Also in the mix was unbeaten Edwin Valero, although medical restrictions on Valero by many state athletic commissions may dissolve the possibilities of a fight.

Pacquiao himself hardly seems the type to stray from a challenge, but it is a tall order to jump up two weight divisions in the span of two fights.


Oscar De La Hoya

De La Hoya is on the last lap of his storied career, which has spanned championships in multiple divisions and superstar status outside the squared circle.

He fought to a decision over little known Stevie Forbes on Cinco De Mayo weekend this year, paying homage to his Los Angeles roots by fighting in Carson, California to a crowd of over 22,000 at the Home Depot Center.

It was one of three planned fights on DLH's farewll tour, and he has since stated he'll fight one more time, but has had difficulty in choosing an opponent.

He wants to retire after a December fight against an opponent who's yet to be named. My weekly column has an Oscar Watch: 2008 feature, check for it weekly until an opponent is named.