OPLAN OSCAR HATCHED IN HOLLYWOOD

By Hermie Rivera
PhilBoxing.com




Hollywood, CA -- Manny Pacquiao revs up a pyretic grind at his private camp, intent in handing Oscar de la Hoya a thorough drubbing when they collide at MGM's Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Determined to surprise the favored Golden Boy, the Pinoy idol is pulling all stops for a record-setting thriller certain to bust the charts ratings-wise. Live gate attendance earlier sold-out in record time.

A decisive Pacquiao triumph over Hoya allows him to leave a defining legacy enroute to a new plunge in politics. But that’s another story.

“It’s Manny by knockout” chief trainer Freddie Roach brags each time hawks in media accosts him for a take on the ‘big vs. small' confrontation.

“My man knows where to land his knockout blows. Manny is well-coached on when to plant his vicious shots -- in areas where Oscar is rendered clueless as to how he’ll win,” cocky Roach explained.

“Guaranteed” added the two-time trainer of the year, revealing a part of the body where a well-placed punch can brutally terminate the Dec.6 showdown.

Manny is not addressing Roach’s insistence of an abbreviated “Dream Match” but allows that such a possibility is not only doable but achievable.

Oplan Oscar, a well-crafted fight plan is strategized at Roach's Wildcard Hollywood headquarters on Vine.

Away from prying eyes of spies?

Careful snoops. If caught, you’ll find yourself whisked in an ambulance to an ICU for a quick check-up?

Not to worry . Fans can still get his coveted signature and pose for pictures after the Pacman is through working out.

One vital move he is in-synch with his trainers is for a 145 pound weigh-in limit and a 155 lbs. fight-weight. Give or take a pound or two.

Ideal for Pacquiao but not for de la Hoya who is facing a quicker and stronger slugger -- Oscar’s height, weight and heft edges -- notwithstanding.

The book titled The Art and Practice of English Boxing yields an interesting passage: “The parts of the body (head) in which a blow is struck with the greatest probability of terminating the battle are on the eye, between the eyebrows, in the bridge of the nose or the temporal artery, beneath the left ear, under the short ribs—and in the pit of the stomach.”

Sounds familiar?

Reminds you of Bernard Hopkins on that fateful night at the MGM Grand Oscar?

At Big Bear Mountains of the Golden State, Oscar Hoya is tightening-up his reliable left hook, ridding its arc-like delivery to exact optimum damage.

But Pacquiao is capable of unleashing his own effective counters when threatened by such hooks.

As tight as the skinflints on Pugsville Row?

Keep tuned.

Top photo: Oscar de la Hoya (R) talks to the author during the 'Dream Match' promotional tour in San Francisco. Photo by Emmanuel Rivera.