Pacquiao’s secret, Hoya’s skills

By Recah Trinidad
Philippine Daily Inquirer


MANILA, Philippines—What would Angelo Dundee do if he were in Freddie Roach’s place preparing Manny Pacquiao for the biggest fight of his career?

It would be too late by the time we’d be able to buttonhole Mr. Dundee.

This chance, we hope, should come during the final press conference at the Las Vegas MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theater on Wednesday.

Our credentials to the Dream Match have been cleared by Magna Media International, we broke the wife’s piggy bank and should be headed in the direction of the glittering Strip (from LA where we’ve reportedly been banned) early next week.

* * *

Last time we saw Mr. Dundee was in 1975 yet, moments after Muhammad Ali beat Joe Frazier in a brutal, bloody bout that has become an all-time classic.

The trainer of great champions, youngish with a full shock of hair, was outside the red gate of the Araneta Coliseum.

Dundee appeared in a great rush and I next heard him tell broadcaster Ronnie Nathnielsz, who sidelined as a prime liaison for the “Thrilla in Manila,” that he needed a ride to catch his connecting flight to Hong Kong.

* * *

Of course, Mr. Dundee will remember the gregarious Mr. Nathanielsz, whom Ali had invited to join his team.

No, I will no longer ask him who was with Nathanielsz then once I corner Mr. Dundee in Vegas.

But I’ve already prepared my questions.

Topping my list is this one about the wisdom of pumping up Pacquiao in order to, more or less, even up with Oscar De La Hoya in poundage, if not in reach and height.

* * *

I expect Dundee to retort with a routine gem:

“In the first place, size won’t matter in this fight.”

Why?

“Skills, it’s Oscar’s edge in talent, that will beat Manny Pacquiao.”

But this promises to be very tough.

“Oscar has fought tough guys all his life.”

So what will be the ultimate factor?

“What will determine the fight instead is who’s the better fighter overall, not necessarily who’s bigger, faster.”

* * *

OK, those were imaginary questions, which I hope to pose again once I’m favored with a close encounter with Mr. Dundee next week.

Of course, the answers were anything but fictional or imaginary.

I lifted these from a fresh interview with Dundee conducted by www.sportinglife.com of London and posted by www.philboxing.com Wednesday.

It’s like this. Out there at Roach’s Wild Card Gym, which I can’t hope to visit again, the owner-trainer has been insisting they have a new secret weapon which they will spring inside the ring come Dec. 6 at MGM Grand.

Surprised? Remember the infamous Manila Ice, which melted and vanished without any explanation inside the ring in a Pacquiao fight.

Was it against Marquez or Morales?

* * *

Regardless. At least, Dundee is not one to talk about any hidden agenda, and no sordid secrets, please.

“I know Oscar has talent he doesn’t know he has. He’s sure to bring this out on fight night,” Dundee says.

Care to elaborate, sir?

“Oscar will win not because he’s bigger, he will make it because he’s the better fighter.”

Well, lest you got carried away, it’s Nacho Beristain, not Dundee, who’ll be working the corner for De La Hoya.

Now a final word from the Golden Boy before they pack up at Big Bear.

“We’ve created a style that’s unbeatable. Nacho Beristain came into my life at a perfect time, at a perfect moment.”

That’s all for now. Uncle Bob Arum awaits you in Vegas.