By Mark Vester
First Oscar De La Hoya said it was personal, now Manny Pacquiao says the fight is personal. Last week, Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy Promotions, said De La Hoya wants to fight Pacquiao over the comments made by Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, where Roach downplayed De La Hoya's ability to beat his fighter, and went further by picking Pacquiao by knockout. De La Hoya has said the fight is personal because Pacquiao turned his back on him, taking a shot at Pacquiao's decision to sign with Top Rank after initially signing with Golden Boy.
Now Pacquiao says the fight is personal over who knows what.
"There’s going to be lots of money involved but I also have to settle something personal (with De La Hoya)," said Pacquiao to the Manila Bulletin.
Schaefer and Bob Arum of Top Rank are scheduled to meet on Wednesday to complete a possible deal for Pacquiao to face De La Hoya on December 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on HBO pay-per-view. Despite having to move up by two weight-divisions, from lightweight to welterweight, Pacquiao feels he can win.
"I know that winning against De La Hoya is going to be tough but I have full confidence in what I can do and I know I can score an upset," Pacquiao said.
The public is not pleased with De La Hoya's selection for his "retirement" fight. Pacquiao is very undersized and some experts think he might get seriously hurt in the fight.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com
