Pacquiao fitness coach lauds in-shape de la Hoya but...
12/01/2008 | 08:48 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Oscar de la Hoya appears to be in perfect shape to take on Manny Pacquiao.
But physical impression doesn't determine de la Hoya's actual condition.
That's according to Alex Arisa, Pacquiao's strength and fitness coach.
"Oscar looks very good aesthetically," Arisa said on Sunday in Los Angeles. "Aesthetically, cosmetically, he looks well. But to look good is one thing, and to be able to perform condition-wise, is completely different."
For the fight with Pacquiao to push through, de la Hoya, who is six years older than Pacquiao, agreed to go down from 160lbs to 147lbs, marking the first time de la Hoya is fighting as a welterweight in seven years.
During an open-media workout at his training camp in Big Bear, California, a leaner de La Hoya showed up and did a few rounds of shadow boxing and sparring. The Golden Boy later bared he's now down to 145lbs, two pounds below the prescribed welterweight limit.
Arisa praised de la Hoya's team of fitness coaches and nutritionists for making de la Hoya look good.
"They've done a terrific job as far as dieting is concerned. He (de la Hoya) looks very healthy. He looks like he's been at that weight for a long time now," Arisa noted. "But again, the condition remains to be seen."
Arisa added the drastic weight loss would not hamper in any way de la Hoya's performance during the bout, as his team had him down in weight for as early as five months ago. "They were probably right," Arisa said, referring to Team Golden Boy's decision to give de la Hoya ample time to reduce.
But none of the prefight images would mean anything if it doesn't translate to a victory in the weekend.
"I know the method that they used which is a very smart and intelligent approach," Arisa said. "Now, whether or not they did it right, we'll see it on Saturday." - GMANews.TV
But physical impression doesn't determine de la Hoya's actual condition.
That's according to Alex Arisa, Pacquiao's strength and fitness coach.
"Oscar looks very good aesthetically," Arisa said on Sunday in Los Angeles. "Aesthetically, cosmetically, he looks well. But to look good is one thing, and to be able to perform condition-wise, is completely different."
For the fight with Pacquiao to push through, de la Hoya, who is six years older than Pacquiao, agreed to go down from 160lbs to 147lbs, marking the first time de la Hoya is fighting as a welterweight in seven years.
During an open-media workout at his training camp in Big Bear, California, a leaner de La Hoya showed up and did a few rounds of shadow boxing and sparring. The Golden Boy later bared he's now down to 145lbs, two pounds below the prescribed welterweight limit.
Arisa praised de la Hoya's team of fitness coaches and nutritionists for making de la Hoya look good.
"They've done a terrific job as far as dieting is concerned. He (de la Hoya) looks very healthy. He looks like he's been at that weight for a long time now," Arisa noted. "But again, the condition remains to be seen."
Arisa added the drastic weight loss would not hamper in any way de la Hoya's performance during the bout, as his team had him down in weight for as early as five months ago. "They were probably right," Arisa said, referring to Team Golden Boy's decision to give de la Hoya ample time to reduce.
But none of the prefight images would mean anything if it doesn't translate to a victory in the weekend.
"I know the method that they used which is a very smart and intelligent approach," Arisa said. "Now, whether or not they did it right, we'll see it on Saturday." - GMANews.TV
