By Mark Vester

Feared punching lightweight Edwin Valero (24-0, 24KOs) has pledged to do everything in his power to prepare Oscar De La Hoya for the fight with Manny Pacquiao on December 6 in Las Vegas. Valero is one of De La Hoya's sparring partners in Big Bear, California. He says the experience with a seasoned pro like De La Hoya will show him a lot.

"It's an opportunity that will permit me to learn a lot and I am going to do everything in my power to help De La Hoya and his team. I believe my southpaw style and my aggressiveness will give him what he wants out of me. I expect to be very useful to Oscar and his team," Valero told writer Leonardo Duque Rivero. 

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Valero will use the time with De La Hoya to do some work with trainer Kenny Adams and eye the WBC sanctioned showdown with Antonio Pitalua of Colombia for the interim-lightweight title. If they can't reach a deal by December 1, the fight will head to a purse bid.

"There is still nothing concrete on the fight with Pitalua. At the moment I will concentrate on my work in Big Bear with Oscar De La Hoya. I like California, it gives me the opportunity to work with dedication and without any distraction," Valero said.

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