Sparmates debate: How fast can Pacquiao finish off De la Hoya?

MANILA, Philippines - Two of the men tasked to whip Manny Pacquiao into shape for his fight versus Oscar de la Hoya have varied opinions on how The Dream Match on December 7 (December 6, US) will end. But it must be made clear, though: Pacquiao sparmates Marvin Cordova and Rashad Holloway believe their man will win. Their only bone of contention? How fast Pacquiao can do it. "He's [Pacquiao] ready for Oscar. So Oscar be ready because Manny is coming at you, baby," the stocky Cordova warned. "Definitely," the sleek-moving Holloway approved also on Thursday, answering with a straight face when asked if Pacquiao would come out the winner. Cordova and Holloway have been two of Pacquiao's regular sparring partners since training camp began at the Wild Card Gym almost two months ago. Unbeaten in 20 fights with 11 coming by knockout, Cordova has been trading punches with Pacquiao for the last five weeks. Holloway has been on aboard from the beginning of camp. The two junior middleweights engaged Pacquiao in a couple of hard, eight-round sessions on Thursday. Both had their moments after they repeatedly kept at bay a sluggish Pacquiao, throwing in timely jabs and combinations at the Filipino slugger. As lethargic as Pacquiao was that day, Cordova said he doesn't see Pacquiao going down against de la Hoya, whom he predicts will be knocked out late in the 12-round bout set at the MGM Grand Garden Hotel. "Come the first six rounds, he'll [Pacquiao] box him, pop-shot him and after that, he's gonna put him away," said Cordova, a Florida native currently weighing 156lbs who describes Pacquiao as an "animal in the ring once he gets inside [it]." "Oscar gets tired after six rounds so after that, Manny will put him out in eight or nine rounds. He'll knock him off." Holloway (9-1, including five knockouts), however, doesn't see the knockout coming, having seen de la Hoya take on bigger and tougher foes. But Holloway does believe that Pacquiao will inflict a severe beating on the Golden Boy who has been kayoed just once in his pro career – a ninth-round loss to one-time undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins in 2004. "To knock Oscar is kind of hard. Oscar is a veteran," Holloway pointed out. "I think Manny will definitely hurt Oscar, and if he sticks to the game plan, he goes to the body and stays on for two minutes every round, maybe we'll see some stoppage. "But honestly, I just think he'll beat the mess out of Oscar for 12 rounds as long as he sticks to the game plan." Regardless if their man wins or loses, Cordova and Holloway can say they've been part of history, being key players in a match described as one of the biggest the sport has seen in the past few years. "Money can't compare to the experience," said Holloway, acknowledging the pay has been "good" with the value he's getting out of sparring Pacquiao, one of boxing's biggest attractions. "To be with the world's best pound-for-pound, and to be considered one of the up-and-coming guys now, what more can I ask for?" Cordova agreed. "It's a good opportunity to work out with a certified champion. It does give me a good experience." - GMANews.TV