De La Hoya-Pacquiao: Manny's Camp Ready To Go
Manny Mania hits L.A. on Sunday night. Manny Pacquiao will arrive from the Philippines and land at LAX on Sunday eve to begin training for his upcoming 'Dream Match' against Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao will meet with chief trainer Freddie Roach on Monday and the two will work out a battle plan to get ready for Oscar. Roach plans to study two Oscar video tapes in fights against lefthanders Pernell Whittaker and Hector Camacho. Team Pacquiao has also asked for a video of Oscar against Steve Forbes.
Roach confirmed today that cutman Miguel Diaz, who has been in the corner of many superstars, will join Team Pacquiao and prepare for "Manny's biggest fight of his life."
Diaz, 70, of Las Vegas said he was thrilled to be asked.
"This will be one of the biggest events I've ever been in," Diaz said. "I will do all I can to help Manny. He's a real warrior who fights with all his heart every second of every round. Every member of Manny's team, including me, is convinced we will win on Dec. 6."
Michael Koncz, advisor to Manny, just returned from the Philippines and said the champ began his roadwork a week ago.
"Manny will be in the gym with me on Monday," said Roach today.
De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao will available on HBO Pay Per View.
BOB ARUM INDUCTED IN AMERICAN GAMING HALL OF FAME
Bob Arum will be inducted into the American Gaming Association Hall of Fame
at the Red Rock Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Arum, who founded Top Rank in 1966, promoted his first major event at a Las Vegas casino through his promotion of Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks at the Las Vegas Hilton in February, 1978. Arum was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999.
Others to be inducted Tuesday into the American Gaming Association Hall of Fame will be the legendary Don King and Emeril Lagasse, the celebrity chef and television personality who has four major restaurants in gaming communities.
TR NOTEBOOK -- Top Rank ring announcer Lupe Contreras, who lives in Houston, is working in Dallas tonight and will escape the wrath of Hurricane Ike. "I plan to return home when all is well," Lupe said today.....Boxing manager and trainer Bill Benton, who also lives in Houston, said he plans to bunker in during Hurricane Ike. "I will be in our gym which is built like a rock and will get through this. Please, I do not want anyone to worry as I have been through previous hurricanes," Benton said.
Kid Diamond and Javier Jauregui will be in the main event of Top Rank's fight card at Buffalo Bill's on Friday, Sept. 19. Tickets at $35 and $10 are available at ticketmaster.com -- first bell is 4:20 pm with the Solo Boxeo Tecate telecast to begin at 5 pm local time