Here's the 3rd interview of the Pacquiao vs De La Hoya series by Sports Chat. The first interviewee is Freddie Roach, the second is by Bob Arum, this third one is Golden Boy Promotions Vice President, and long-time Oscar De La Hoya friend Eric Gomez.


Dennis Principe: Joining us from the airport, on the way to the Philippines, right now he's in Los Angeles, the Vice President of the Golden Boy Promotions, and also a good friend, Mr. Eric Gomez. Eric, good morning and welcome back to our show Sports Chat.

Eric Gomez: Oh, thank you. Thank you very much for having me.

Dennis Principe: All right, Eric how's everything? I believe you're on your way to the Philippines.

Eric Gomez: Yes, yes. I'm actually leaving for the airport in a little bit after I'm done with the radio show here. And I'll be in Cebu for AJ Banal's big fight for the world title.

Dennis Principe: All right, and before you leave, we'll probably go direct to the point. Eric, the real reason, and you know we called you up, is we would like to get your reactions on this supposed plan of staging a Manny Pacquiao Oscar De La Hoya fight. What's the reaction of Golden Boy himself, and your company as a whole?

Eric Gomez: Well, Oscar, he's aware. He's the boss, basically. We talk to him about the situation. And I think it all started, I think, about a week ago, by comments of Freddie Roach. Freddie Roach made some comments.

Dennis Principe: Actually, we interviewed him in this show, in this same show. He talked about his eagerness to fight Oscar.

Eric Gomez: Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's got the eagerness to fight Oscar. He feels that Manny is in position now to challenge one of the great fighters of all time. All the great fighters move up in weight, Henry Armstrong, you know it. All the great fighters, moves up in weight, and Manny wants to do the same. Manny wants to be considered as one of the greats and move up to welterweight to battle up Oscar.

So, at the moment, Oscar is the boss, he's the man, he's open to doing the fight. He is thinking it over. And he is making a decision shortly. He's considering it. He's open to doing the fight.

Dennis Principe: And taking into consideration, Eric, everything that it's in boxing, the business side of it, as for the De La Hoya Pacquiao fight, the weight and height disparity. You are the Vice President of matchmaking, of course you know everything. You've done a splendid job, one of the most consistent matchmaking I've seen. Do you really see a competitive bout between the two? Is it really possible? And do you think it has the possibility of it being staged?

Eric Gomez: You know, look, Manny is the top right now. Manny is the best fighter in the world. He's the best fighter, #1 fighter pound for pound. We recognized that. He fought the best. And Oscar is at the end of his career, and Manny and Freddie Roach they're the ones who are calling Oscar out, they're calling Oscar out.

And Manny could do something great, he could do what only a handful of fighters have done - move all the way up to welterweight. To become a world champion and beating Oscar at that weight class, which hasn't been done in so many year. Oscar, obviously has done it, Oscar started his career at 130, and all the way to middle weight, and won title, and then he lost his title to Bernard Hopkins.

Can it be done, yes, definitely. Manny is that type of fighter. He's a superstar. Manny has the speed, he's got the power. It's a dangerous fight for Oscar. Very, very dangerous fight. That's why Manny is thinking it over. It really is a dangerous fight. Can it be done? Sure.

Manny seems to be pleased, and Freddie Roach obviously, I have a lot of respect for Freddie. Freddie, he told that "Manny would knock Oscar out, Oscar is old already, Oscar can't pull the trigger, he'll knock Oscar out!" I mean I have a lot of respect for Freddie, and if Freddie seems to think so, I think it's a matter of getting together and making the deal happen.

Dennis Principe: How about the business side of it?

Eric Gomez: We just, I mean, Richard Schaeffer started a talk with Bob Arum to stage the fight, so it's just a matter of getting the numbers in order, and then we can get it done.

Dennis Principe: How about the business side of it? Would there be a road block to hurdle?

Eric Gomez: I think that when you have to face a fight like this, obviously, there's an obstacle. But it's a big enough fight that everyone involved just wants to get it done. It can get done.

Dennis Principe: Okay.

Eric Gomez: Make no mistake, Manny wants to become great. And to become great, you have to great things. Okay, and he is gonna jump up two more divisions. And just remember, Manny was a 122 lbs. champion, started his career at 112 lbs. So to be considered a great fighter you have to do great things. And Manny is being bold to go all the way up to welterweight.

He sees something obviously that makes him wanna make a good fight, Freddie Roach sees something. And whether they're gonna write it, I don't know. But it is a dangerous fight for Oscar. It's not an easy fight. Manny is very fast, and powerful it can cause a lot of problems.

Dennis Principe: But at 147 lbs., Manny without a doubt, I don't think he's gonna have problems making the weight. How about Oscar, will it be a struggle for him to make 147 lbs.?

Eric Gomez: It may be a little bit of a struggle but that might be to Manny's advantage. You know, this last fight, Oscar fought at 150 lbs. and he wasn’t dieting or anything. So I think Oscar would have to sacrifice a little to make 147 lbs. Oscar has not doubt he can make 147 lbs., in fact when he was in training camp, he was training, sometimes, he would come out of the gym at 149 lbs., that's without having to diet.

I feel good that Oscar would make the weight, he could definitely make the weight. But that creates a Manny's advantage. Oscar hasn't fought at that weight in a while so he might struggle to getting down the weight, and that could create a Manny's advantage. Oscar could come in at a fight, having no energy, no nothing. You know, sacrifice going into the fight.

Dennis Principe: And everything is still hypothetical, theoretical, Eric, 'cause there's nothing concrete yet. But you translated what Manny will achieve, if ever, you know if moves up, and beats Oscar. But what's there for Oscar? What's there to achieve for him?

Eric Gomez: This is definitely Oscar's last fight. It's the last fight of Oscar's entire career. He's been wanting to fight the best. Fought the best, considered as the best for pound. Oscar has fought 'em and that would just another, would be another fighter, considered the best fighter in the world. And Oscar would take the challenge, and that's what Oscar wants. He doesn't want going out fighting a no name. He wants to go out fighting at the top level fighting big names like Manny Pacquiao.

Dennis Principe: And, you know, you've said it, that definitely this fight is no joke. People say it is a joke, and it's a some sort of an exhibition but you've mentioned that the greatness in store for Manny, and of course the danger, the danger of Oscar moving down and fighting one of the fastest fighter, some of the best fighters we've seen.

Freddie Roach, he was our guess last week, and he said that "Oscar is not the same De La Hoya 10 years ago, and he's old, and seems to be having difficulty pulling the trigger," things like that. What was Oscar's reaction to that, Eric?

Eric Gomez: Oscar was upset. Oscar was very upset. And he wasn't sure why Freddie said that. And as a fighter, as a fighter (I'm not a fighter, I've never been a fighter and you're not a fighter), if you're a fighter and when someone talks that way about you, and especially after the illustrious career that Oscar had, you know, you get a little pumped up, you get a little angry. You want to prove that person wrong.

And Oscar is definitely open to fight, but you know we're talking to him and we tell him it's not an easy fight. It's a dangerous fight for you. Manny can hurt you, he can really hurt you. And why'd you wanna do that.

In fact, I myself, personally, as a matchmaker, feels that a Miguel Cotto fight is easy for us. I think Miguel Cotto's style fits Oscar better. Miguel Cotto is the type of fighter that Oscar has fought his entire career. He is a guy that has one style, comes in forward, comes in a straight line.

Manny's not like that, Manny jumps around when he comes. You know, he's like a buzzsaw. He comes in, he jumps around, different angles, different attacks. I just don't know if Oscar can agree to have a guy like that comes at him at a 100 miles per hour.

Well as Miguel Cotto would be coming in the front door, if you can wait from there, and you can catch him with counters. And you know, in fact I believe Shane Mosley did beat him in a very close fight.

Dennis Principe: Yeah, close fight.

Eric Gomez: But Manny's the kind of guy that comes in from the front door, from the side door, from the back door.

Dennis Principe: Yeah, any doors.

Eric Gomez: That's what makes him so great. He is so unpredictable, very strong.

Dennis Principe: Last question, Eric, if you don't mind. You mentioned Cotto, well, he's a welterweight he's fighting Margarito this coming weekend ( Cotto vs Margarito ), but you think the winner of that fight would be also a potential fight for Oscar.

Eric Gomez: Yeah, that's what Oscar is looking for. So, he's gonna look at everything before he makes the decision. Oscar is the boss, he's the man. So what it's whatever he wants, and he is obviously gonna look at that fight, and see what's gonna happen. And he's gonna consider Manny Pacquiao too. And I think it's a possibility that it's gonna happen between the two. It can happen, it can be a reality, a fight, as long as it's a good deal for everyone.

transcribed from: sports chat audio

Pacquiao vs De La Hoya update: Pacquiao answered the De La Hoya rumblings. Here's what he said during a TV interview, a few days before he flies to the Cotto vs Margarito fight in Las Vegas:

"I'm willing to fight De La Hoya," said Pacquiao, "it depends on how the negotiations go. If the price is right, why not? I'm willing to fight anybody."


Freddie Roach in an interview with Sports Chat said he would like Manny Pacquiao to fight Oscar De La Hoya before he retires. Bob Arum also in an interview with Sports Chat the following day said that he is working out a Pacquiao - De La Hoya deal.

"Freddie is the trainer and nobody selects an opponent without running it by Freddie," Arum said during an interview with ESPN Dan Rafael. "But for Freddie to come out with these statements is counterproductive because behind the scenes there have been talks with [Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard] Schaefer and myself about an Oscar-Pacquiao fight. So I didn't need this kind of grandstanding. The talks are serious. Richard doesn't fuck around. He's not jerking my chain."

Pacquiao vs De La Hoya: If the Price is Right

Here's a follow-up to the Pacquiao vs De la Hoya possible said Roach, Transcript post. Sports Chat this time talk to Pacquiao's promoter, Bob arum. Here's the transcript of that talk:


Dennis Principe: All right, here we go ladies and gentlemen. Live, both, Mr. Ronnie Nathanielsz from Cebu and of course we would like to welcome the Hall of Fame promoter Mr. Bob Arum from his place in Las Vegas. Sir, good morning and welcome to Philippine radio.

Bob Arum: Good. Nice to be on. We're here in Las Vegas. We're all excited for Cotto Margarito tiff that takes place next week. The interest is tremendous in that fight.

Dennis Principe: And sir, we would like to talk about that later on in our program. But I hope you don't mind, we really don't like to be spoilers here but, yesterday me and Mr. Ronnie, here in our show, we are able to talk to Freddie. He was in most interesting mood by not only saying that Manny should fight Oscar, but he also believes that Manny can knock Oscar out. However, we know that it's wheeling and dealing time and this is your turf as promoter. May we ask your reaction sir about Freddie's opinion yesterday?

Bob Arum: Let's be very practical about it. At this particular point, Oscar De La Hoya has one more fight left in his illustrious career and that's December the 6th. And seeing what's available, as I understand it, based on my discussion with the De La Hoya people, there are four possible candidates.

One is Floyd Mayweather, who has you know retired, and so I don't think he's a real candidate. Second is Felix Trinidad, who I don't beleive is a real candidate, I guess because Oscar would have to fight him at a very, very high weight right now, 175 lbs. and Trinidad doesn't seems anxious to get back in the ring.

So that leaves two fighters, for Oscar to fight on December 6th. I beleive he said he doesn't want to fight another Mexican, so that leaves Miguel Cotto who's fighting next week against Antonio Margarito, and Manny Pacquiao.

The decision that has to be made by Manny Pacquiao is number 1, that is he has to decide if he wants to fight, whether Manny feels that it's a winnable fight, because Oscar is bigger. And secondly, whether the financial remunerations are appropriate.

How luckily, Manny is coming to Las Vegas for the Cotto fight, next week, will be arriving on Friday and he's coming with Jeng Gacal, his lawyer. We will sit and discuss all of Manny's options on November and December, and that includes Valero, includes Soto, and includes the possibility of an Oscar fight.

Dennis Principe: Allright, Mr. Ronnie, would you like to...

Ronnie Nathanielsz: Yeah, I agree with you Mr. Arum, and I think I told Freddie that Oscar De La Hoya is too big for Manny Pacquiao, and I don't think that Oscar De La Hoya would be willing to come down to 147 lbs. to fight Pacquiao.

Bob Arum: Well, I don't think that would be a problem, as far as Oscar coming down to 147 lbs.

Ronnie Nathanielsz: You don't think so?

Bob Arum: No, not based on my preliminary discussion. That wouldn't be a problem, in other words, if he fought Cotto of if he fought Pacquiao, he would do it at welterweight.

Dennis Principe: Yes, sir. So does that mean, that there's a chance that fight may happen?

Bob Arum: Yes, of course, there is. But, you know, until I sit with Manny and Jeng and find out Manny's financial demand, and find out what percentage of the revenue we can get from the De La Hoya Pacquiao fight, everything is premature.

The point is we're not discarding other options as this whole process goes on. And people say: well, how long will it take to reach a resolution? And my best guess is probably sometimes the middle towards the end of August, we will find out who he's gonna fight, where he's gonna fight, what is he gonna fight for.

Dennis Principe: So what is happening right now sir, is Humberto Soto is also your fighter is something that will always be there and will always be available for Manny.

Bob Arum: That is correct. And Valero, you know he is before... the Nevada Commission... so Valero you know would be available for the forseeable future as well.

So, yes, yes, because we have many cards and if Soto doesn't win the fight with Manny Pacquiao, there are other cards that we could put him on the vacant WBC sometimes this year. So, you know, whatever happens, Soto is not gonna be left out in the cold.

Dennis Principe: Mr. Ronnie?

Ronnie Nathanielsz: Mr. Arum, the problem would be, like you said, the financial situation. With the current financial crisis there, the Pay Per View numbers in the recent bout with boxing. Well, it's a very expensive proposition, and then Pacquiao also can be rather expensive. The market, in fact, stand in such...

Bob Arum: Well, we'll have to discuss. My feeling is this, my feeling is that people would be intrigue by the fact that it's De La Hoya's last fight against Pacquiao, against Cotto, will do very good numbers. So, you know I'm troubled by the economic situation in the United States, all over the world, but I don't think that it will that at first would impact the revenues for such a fight.

Ronnie Nathanielsz: Besides, it would be right after the November election, the fight would be better-off in December. I mean confidence-wise.

Bob Arum: Well, I don't know, half of the people will be discouraged. The election in the United States usually ends up to be 49-51.

All: (laughs)

Part 2: Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito - Pacquiao at Ringside

Here's a follow-up to Pacquiao vs De La Hoya possibility during the Sports Chat talk. This next interview is by Brad Cooney of Boxing Herald. Roach said almost the same thing as his Sports Chat interview, here's some the most interesting part of the interview:


Brad Cooney: What do you think Arum's motive is concerning Humberto Soto?

Freddie Roach: I don't understand it. Soto beat Bobby Pacquiao, but Bobby is no Manny Pacquiao. I mean, what kind of PPV draw would that fight be? We are missing the boat! Oscar has talked about fighting Manny. We can have Oscar make 147 lbs, and we can add another Mexican legend to Manny's resume.

Brad Cooney: Do you intend to call Arum and try reason with him?

Freddie Roach: I am very surprised that he hasn't called me about this Soto situation. I asked Manny if Arum talked to him about Soto, and he told me 'no.' I asked Manny if he would like to fight De La Hoya, and he told me, 'Of course,' and he then asked me about the weight, and I told him we would make Oscar make 146 lbs, and we could make the fight.

Brad Cooney: Pacquiao vs. Diaz didn't do too well in PPV. Why do you think Arum would want Soto next? That fight wouldn't do any better in PPV.

Freddie Roach: It's a tough sell, a Soto vs Pacquiao. It's not a PPV fight, it's a free HBO fight if anything. Valero can only fight in one state, and all of his fights were in Japan, so that's not a PPV fight either really. I would like to negotiate a Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya fight.

Brad Cooney: What would you like to say to Oscar De La Hoya?

Freddie Roach: I want to tell him that he treated me well when I was training him, but I have the better guy right now. Manny is pound for pound the best fighter in the world. Oscar likes challenges, and here is a challenge. I would never take a fight that my guy couldn't win, that's for sure. Money doesn't matter, I know Manny can win this fight!

Brad Cooney: Closing thoughts?

Freddie Roach: I read in Pacland how everybody is asking about, WHY SOTO? Well I have the same question. Let's beat De La Hoya, and then beat Hatton next year, and Manny can retire and go down as the greatest fighter of all time.

Coach Freddie Roach in an interview with Sports Chat mentioned a possible Pacquiao vs De La Hoya. Here's the transcript:


Dennis Principe: Mr. Ronnie Nathanielsz good morning.

Ronnie Nathanieslz: Good morning, I'm glad you are able to get Freddie on the line. That would be great.

Dennis Principe: On the other line, live, ladies and gentlemen live from Wild Card Gym. Freddie Roach welcome back.

Freddie Roach: Thank you...

Dennis Principe: Mr. Ronnie, if you don't mind, since we're talking to Freddie, people want want know more about Manny Pacquiao, I, I'll just throw the first question. If Soto who would be fighting Manny Pacquiao, if Bob Arum is concerned, would you accept that responsibility Freddie?

Freddie Roach: We haven't talk about that yet. We talk about Valero, but then he's so hard to get license in America. He's only licensed in Texas and nowhere else, so that would be a little difficult.

I guess, the next available guy here according to Bob is Soto. I don't really like the Soto fight so much because he doesn't do much business. He's coming off a disqualification. But he beat Bobby Pacquiao, okay, Bobby is my friend is my friend and a nice guy, but he's no Manny Pacquiao. I don't see that fight selling tickets.

Dennis Principe: So you think Valero would be more salable promotion for your team.

Freddie Roach: Yeah, he's a little bit salable because he's 24-0, 24 knockouts. So he does have that behind him. But still, he's fight in Japan for most of his fights lately, he's not too well known in America, you know, it's a bit of a tough sell also. I mean, there some fights out there that I would rather have but they're just not available right now.

Dennis Principe: And Mr. Ronnie?

Ronnie Nathanieslz: Marquez cannot fight, neither can Nate Campbell, they're all very busy. So I guess in this sense, Bob Arum is stuck in a rock and a hard place.

Freddie Roach: Well, yeah the thing is I'm sure Bob doing the best he can, is negotiating the best he can. But the thing is Soto-Pacquiao as a Pay Per View fight is it big enough? I just don't think so.

I think it will do less than Diaz, and even Valero because of his record, if he still comes to Nevada, maybe in Texas, it makes it a little bit difficult. I think Bob is a real smart guy, he may come up with something, I think so.

The thing is with Oscar De La Hoya is looking for a fight, and I would like to fight Oscar De La Hoya with Pacquiao at 147.

Dennis Principe: You mean straight on for his next fight?

Freddie Roach: No, Oscar is looking for a fight right now, he never stopped negotiating. I like Bob to negotiate with Oscar. I do feel that Manny Pacquiao at this point in his career can knock De La Hoya out.

Dennis Principe: Yeah, from what we know, Oscar is looking for a December fight date, he's still looking for an opponent. You're okay with that if say, Oscar is available for December? Are you fine with that.

Freddie Roach: I would be fine with that, yes. The thing is I think it's better days in November... We need to work on the fighting style on how to beat him, 'cause you know he is a bigger guy, he does have that advantage, 'cause you know I trained him a few fights before, but he's not the same Oscar as 10 years ago.

Dennis Principe: Mr. Ronnie?

Ronnie Nathanieslz: The question is will Oscar De La Hoya come down to 147 lbs?

Freddie Roach: I've talked to some people, and they say that he can make 147... It has to be at 147 to make that fight possible. I want Manny to weight 140 lbs. then by fight time he'll be 145, he'll have power and speed. I just hope that they meet, Manny and him, at this point of their careers.

Ronnie Nathanieslz: What does Manny himself... have you ever talk to Manny about this?

Freddie Roach: Well, Manny told me he'd love to fight Oscar, yes. I mean, Oscar has made it public that he would love to fight Manny. I think it's a big, big fight.

I mean, Oscar De La Hoya is probably upset because he has some issues with Manny,who he signed with, Golden Boy or Top Rank, and the poor settlements that happened, so Oscar seems to be a little bit bitter about that, you know, the thing is with Oscar he just has some problem pulling the trigger, he's a little slower than he used to be. If Steve Forbes can hit him as easily as he did, I know Pacquiao will knock him out.

Ronnie Nathanieslz: Of course the question is, you feel Manny will have the same power and speed at that weight?

Freddie Roach: Well, that is why I don't want him to come in too heavy. Manny weight at his last fight, is a 145 lbs. with Diaz in the ring. That's exactly what I want him for that fight, because we do need the speed, he has the power.

Dennis Principe: Since it's a 147 lbs. fight, doesn't necessarily mean that Manny has to make 147. He can actually come in between 140 and 147, right?

Freddie Roach: Right, Manny will come in at 140. I wouldn't want him to come in with too much more than that.

Ronnie Nathanieslz: Of course that's a big money fight, both ways. Will the boxing market be able to stand having to pay this two guys a lot of money?

Freddie Roach: Well, the thing is we can promote that fight well 24/7 again. Because every time we hit 24/7, it's been huge... the thing is I would never take a fight that I didn't know my guy could win. I would never do that.... The money is secondary the win is the most important thing. If he fought this year in December, it would be great, then next year we can fight Hatton, then he can be president of the Philippines after that.

Dennis Principe: (laughs)

Ronnie Nathanieslz: (laughs)

Dennis Principe: But Freddie, I remember before the Diaz fight, you really would like to talk about Diaz, and how he will fare in the lightweight division, but is it safe to say since you saw him winning against Diaz, after that you already know that he can take on Oscar?

Freddie Roach: Yes, that performance is what really led me to make that decision. I've been working on Manny's right hand for a long time, and sometimes it was there just a little bit, against Marquez it wasn't there for too much. Now he knows he can use both hands. Manny, he became a better fighter that night, I know that will carry over the next fight...

He's pound for pound the best fighter in the world and of course Oscar like challenges so I think this is the biggest one for him.

Ronnie Nathanieslz: That would be great. My feeling is Manny Pacquiao will have one more fight this year and fight Hatton and then kick boxing goodbye and concentrate on politics. That's my feeling.

Freddie Roach: That's my feeling also. He beat those two guys, one of the greatest fighters of all-time. Those are obviously big, big fights for us. Both Ricky Hatton and Oscar they draw big numbers as well as Manny, so it's really a fans against fans fight.

Dennis Principe: ...have you also consider other fighters?

Freddie Roach: They're not well-known enough to have a mega-fight. Time to go for a bigger fight with Manny, while he's there, 'cause you know Oscar is gonna fight one more fight, and I don't think we should miss the boat. We should take that fight. But obviously Bob has to work out the terms, money. I don't want to speculate on that but Bob has to negotiate that. That's what he does best.

Ronnie Nathanieslz: Yeah, he's a great negotiator. It seems to me, that it will be a little recurring differences between Arum and Golden Boy. But I think in the name of boxing, and the desire to get this fight under way. They can put that aside and get this going.

Freddie Roach: They need to put that aside. There's not doubt about that. Business is business.

Ronnie Nathanieslz: And Manny, I think, would love that fight.

Dennis Principe: Allright, gentlemen, it's been a great time really to have you.

In a press conference Tuesday, Pacquiao said he will enter the race for Congress on 2010. He earlier said in front of thousands of his townmates that he will enter politics after he retires from boxing.

“My political [machinery] is already well-arranged,” Pacquiao said. “I am vying for the same position that I contended for in General Santos City in the 2007 elections, but this time in Sarangani province.”

On February 2007, Pacquiao announced that he was running for congress representing South Cotabato. His decision however easily turned off both his fans and the general public. He lost the election last May 2007.

“The P140-million plus Manny Pacquiao lost, could be true,” a Pacquiao confidante said during the 2007 election “Definitely, it’s not lower than P100 million.”

There are many instances where Pacquiao was duped by political operators in 2007. Pacquiao paid large amount of money for a promised political service that never came. Two operators, for example, said they would help Pacquiao in his campaign but would only do so if Pacquiao paid them the initial sum of P500,000 pesos. Pacquiao never heard from them again when he paid. He later found out that they were already working in his rival’s camp.

2007: Pacquiao in Politics


2007: Pacquiao Political Campaign

The Manny Pacquiao Next Foe Sweepstakes is up for grabs. Boxing experts has already given their opinion, here's what the Pacquiao insiders has to say:

Edwin Valero

Bob Arum kickstarted the conversation when he said Valero is Pacquiao's next opponent during an interview right after the Pacquiao vs Diaz bout.

The media pick up on Bob's statement, speculating whether Valero is ready for Pacquiao's fists.

Coach Feddie Roach on the other hand reiterates his first choice for Manny Pacquiao's next opponent: Ricky Hatton.

But because Hatton would be unavailabe due to a scheduled fight with Paul Malignaggi, Roach would like to Manny to fight Valero.

Roach said he had told Arum about his opinion about Valero, who is a more attractive opponent that Soto, "who just lost."

Humberto Soto

But a problem with Valero's medical clearance and a question mark on his US marketability, prompted Arum to shift gear, Soto is next. Humberto Soto challenged Pacquiao right after the Diaz bout. The Pacquiao vs Soto tiff almost happened a year ago.

"It’s okay that I fight Soto, especially since he beat my brother Bobby," said Pacquiao.

"I will not make a decision until I talk with Manny," said Arum. "But right now we are looking at Soto and while people are saying that Manny should fight in big-money fights, Manny has to keep busy because we will be doing the Hatton fight next year. Soto is excited to fight Pacquiao and he will be ready and it’s going to be a tough fight for Pacquiao."

Nate Campbell

Meanwhile, Team Pacquiao dislike the Pacquiao vs Sotto proposal, prefering instead a Pacquiao vs Campbell unification match. Campbell himself is challenging Pacquiao. Bob Arum made an effort in the past to make the Campbell fight a reality, but it looks like the deal didn't materialize.

Ricky Hatton

Former WBC featherweight and superfeatherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera on the other hand advices Manny Pacquiao should avoid fighting either Valero or Soto, and should instead concentrate on Ricky Hatton next year.

Manny okays Sotto Video

According to New York Post, because of the not so great Pacquiao vs Diaz Pay Per View buys (more or less 250,000), Bob Arum is planning on marketing Pacquiao to the general population. Bob Arum's goal is to make casual sports viewers recognize Pacquiao.

"We're going to start marketing Pacquiao totally different," he said this week. "We're going to get him to the mainstream American language stations and get him on shows like Lettermen and Jimmy Kimmel. We're working on getting him on those kinds of shows. We're going to make him known in the mainstream. I believe it can be done. It's going to take hard work."

Pacquiao is one of the most exciting and best active boxer alive but some would argue he isn't marketable to the general American population because he could barely speak English.

Some even blamed the recent dismal showing because Diaz is an almost unknown entity. But think about it: fighters like De La Hoya, Jones and Trinidad could fight a Class C boxer and would still generate at least 400,000 buys.

In an interview by Boxing Confidential last May 2008, Campbell trainer said that Campbell himself disclosed to him that Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum has made a tentative offer of a $3 million purse so that the Filipino icon, who was at that time just hoping to capture David Diaz’s WBC crown, can unify all four major belts before year’s end.

"If he dominates Diaz, maybe we go to Nate Campbell for the unified title. I think that would be a huge fight. A unification is a bigger fight than Marquez,’’ Bob Arum said.

Nate Campbell, of course, accepted Bob Arum's offer. Nate's trainer said to him that he would be crazy not to take the offer. In response, Nate Campbell wrote a letter to Manny Pacquiao. He even wrote an article at maxboxing.com stating that he's willing to fight Casamayor just to fight Pacquiao.

But then something changed after Pacquiao beat David Diaz last June 28, 2008. Campbell’s co-promoters Don King and Terry Trekas were separately calling up Pacman promoter Bob Arum’s phone lines a few days after but both got only the deaf ear treatment from Bob Arum.

Bob Arum suddenly wanted to fight either Edwin Valero or Humberto Soto.

This has led critics and fans speculating whether Manny Pacquiao is being protected from Nate Campbell. Some even thinks that Campbell will outbox Pacquiao and beat him on points, that it may be an unwarranted risk for Arum, who would want more than anything else to protect his cash cow.

There have been even rumors that Campbell's promoter Don King raised his price after the Diaz fight, even dangling a possible Campbell-Guzman fight, and that Bob Arum didn't like Don King's counter-offer, deeming it too high. Bob Arum and Don King animosity after all goes back decades (the few bouts they co-promoted ended up in bitter war of words). Some even think Bob Arum announcing a Soto or Valero fight is a ploy to lower Campbell's asking price.

Bob Arum after Pacquiao vs Diaz Fight

Interviewer: What do you think of Pacquiao coming up and fighting David Diaz?

Nate Campbell: I can't wait, I hope... I can't wait. I just get happy just thinking about it. Sometimes, you know, I, I... my nipples just got hard. Really... my nipples, just got... I'm sorry... I'm overcomed with joy.


That interview took place a week before the Pacquiao-Diaz bout. Nate Campbell (WBA, WBO and IBF unified lightweight champion) during that time also wrote a letter to the winner, to fight him in a unification bout.

Last July 10, Nate Campbell reiterated his challenge, this time to the new WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao, stating that they would skip Guzman, if Manny is interested in a history-making unification title fight.

"My nipples got hard, thinking about Pacquiao fight" - NATE

After the controversial disqualification by referee Joe Cortez, during a bout against Lorenzo for the interim WBC Jr. Lighteweight Championship title belt, Univision asked Humberto Soto about Manny Pacquiao. Soto said:

"Well, I think he's a great fighter, but he hasn't faced a fighter who can stand toe to toe with him like me."


Humberto Soto Challenging Manny Pacquiao Video

Interviewer: The next fight for you would be Paul Malignaggi, is that right?

Ricky Hatton: Paul Malignaggi, yeah. It's gonna be in November, just waiting for the date to be confirmed. Against, it's a chance to see fans over in America. Hopefully, I can win the World Title... the only fights that I'm interested right now is world title fights and then you know fighting the best pound for pound fighters in the world... Manny Pacquiao hopefully by summer.

Interviewer: Would you say that Manny Pacquiao is now the #1 Pound for Pound fighter in the world?

Ricky Hatton: Yeah, I would say so.


Ricky Hatton: Manny Pacquiao is #1 Pound for Pound

After a 16-hour trip from Los Angeles on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 103, the boxing hero was back home to his three children who had not seen their father since May 12. Upon seeing his kids, Pacquiao immediately cradled his daughter and showered his sons with kisses to the excited applause of both members of the press and airport personnel.

“I thank all Filipinos who supported me and prayed for this victory. Don't worry, my hand is okay now,” Pacquiao said.

Aside from donating P3 million to the typhoon victims, Pacquiao said he was also planning a fund-raising concert for the victims as well as a telethon to generate more funds.


Manny Pacquiao arrives at Philippines Airport


Pinoy Records: Pacquiao arrives in the Philippines


Philippines TV Station welcomes Pacquiao

It was a show of sportsmanship and dignified athleticism of the highest order.

"I thought they could have stopped the fight sooner," Pacquiao said. "I asked the referee, and he told me, 'Go ahead and continue.' "

"I always think I have a chance," David Diaz said. "I always think I can pull it out. Sometimes I think I can do it to the point where I can almost see the shoreline. And then I went under."

The guts and bravery of David Diaz to admit he's beaten. It's a highest ideal in athletic competition when a foe truly understand - Diaz have given everything he has and simply lost to someone greater than him.


Pacquiao & Diaz Press Conference


Pacquiao vs Diaz Post-fight Press Conference Interview


Pacquiao & Diaz Meet & Hug after the Fight


Diaz Sportmanship after the Fight

Here's a quick follow-up to the Pacquiao vs Diaz Interview: Video & Transcript HBO Version. It's a post-fight interview just like before but with a different interviewer.




Top Rank Version: Manny Pacquiao Interview

Manny Pacquiao: Well, it's not easy moving up weight but, you know, I think I'm just lucky that God give me the strength and the blessings.

Interviewer: Now, did you feel any difference in the punching power of Diaz?

Manny Pacquiao: Well, I feel stronger at a 135 lbs. but I feel I'm stronger than the 130 lbs. so it's better if I stay at a 135 lbs. or a 140 lbs.

Interviewer: Did you have any concern at all whether or not you can take a punch from a guy this big?

Manny Pacquiao: I never worry about taking the punches of the big opponent. But Bob give me a job to fight, so I'm just a fighter. (laughs)

Interviewer: As the fight was moving on, I mean you were hitting him 3, 4, 5 times, you were hitting him pretty badly, are you surprised that it wasn't stop sooner?

Manny Pacquiao: Well, I'm very surprised, you know, I think Diaz, he is the toughest opponent that I had before. And uhm, I'm very surprised that he catch a lot of punches, strong punches, power punches, and still stand up

Interviewer: Are you staying lightweight at this point?

Manny Pacquiao: Well, it depends on Bob's decision. I can fight at 140, or I can fight a 135 lbs.

Interviewer: You can fight at a 140, you think?

Manny Pacquiao: Yeah, yeah.

Interviewer: How about at 147?

Manny Pacquiao: Oh, no, no. (laughs)

Interviewer: 140 is where it stops. (smiles)

Bob Arum: Stay away from Cotto. (laughs)

Interviewer: Stay away from Cotto, that's where they draw the line near Cotto. But anywhere near 140, Manny said bring it on.

Top Rank Version: David Diaz Interview


Interviewer: I know you're very disappointed by the way it went on tonight. What about this fight that surprised you the most?

David Diaz: His speed. Not so much as his power but he looks really fast. I couldn't stop his punches. I couldn't match him actually, I couldn't match him. He hit pretty hard, I'm not gonna lie, but his speed is the thing that fucked me up.

Interviewer: You got cut early in the fight. How much of it affects you?

David Diaz: No, no it didn't affect me at all. I've been cut so many times, that it's just second nature to me. I mean it didn't bother me at all. I can see perfectly, it's not a problem. It's just that he was so fucking fast, that I didn't think he was that fast.

Interviewer: What was your game plan coming up. I assume it's make him work hard.

David Diaz: I see him getting tired a little at the end. So I guess hitting my face, he was getting a little tired. And I was like you know what, it's working. That's the way it goes sometimes.

Interviewer: I know you've been a very tough guy to knock out. So I assume you didn't see the punch coming?

David Diaz: Nah, I didn't. I think it was a... left. I was thinking he didn't hit that hard then all of a sudden I'm on the floor, what the fuck.

Interviewer: That's three (fuck) by the way. (laughs)

David Diaz: (laughs) I was like, what the heck. It just happens (so fast). My hats are off to him. He's a great, great fighter. More than I expected. And you know what? Sometimes, you just have to tip your hat to the other guy and said "you're fucking good." And that's what he is.

Interviewer: That's four (fuck) by the way. (laughs)

David Diaz: (laughs)

Bob Arum: (laughs)

Interviewer: David thank you very much for your time tonight. A valiant effort.

Here's the post-fight interview following Pacquiao's win over Diaz. The Top Rank version is also available for those who wants an alternative.


HBO Version: Pacquiao & David Diaz Interview Video


HBO Version: Pacquiao & David Diaz Interview Transcript

Jim Lampley: And joining us now on the ringside, the new lightweight champion of the world. Manny, congratulations on a brilliant show in your first appearance at 135 lbs.

Manny Pacquiao: Thank you very much, and to all the people who's here tonight. Thank you very much to all of you.

Jim Lampley: A question coming into the fight was: Would moving up five pounds in weight, in some way, diminish your speed? Could you keep your power? By our lights, it appear you were faster than ever, and stronger than ever, is that the way you felt?

Manny Pacquiao: Yeah, that's why what we trained in this fight, is uh, speed and power. And I feel very comfortable at 135 lbs., I feel strong.

Jim Lampley: You cut him on the nose in the second round, he got a cut above the eye about a round or two after that, from that forth forward, it was a bloody show. How difficult is it, for you to keep throwing and trashing an obviously outclassed opponent, when you can see how badly hurt he is?

Manny Pacquiao: Well, Diaz, I think he is the toughest opponent that I had before, and I'm very surprised that he catch a lot of punches and he didn't knockdown in the early rounds.

Jim Lampley: We got a video tape of the knockdown, would you like to admire your work a little bit. Let's take a look at the knockout, and you can take a look at the perfect combination... tell us what you're doing here.

Manny Pacquiao: ...

Jim Lampley: ... Right jab, left hand.

Manny Pacquiao: Yeah, yeah, that's what our plan for this fight. The left hand, you know, and then also the right hand so, I'm lucky tonight, because I win by knockout so thanks God for giving me the strength.

Jim Lampley: It's been a long time, since you fought another southpaw, and it looks to be that you used your brilliant right hand, that hook and the uppercut, than even conventional fighters, did you know that would be the case?

Manny Pacquiao: Well, uh, to tell you the truth, you know, it's hard to fight a southpaw, and that's why I'm not very confident in this fight, you know, I just add my defense, you know, jab, jab a lot. And I'm surprised in the 9th round that I knock him out.

Jim Lampley: So Manny, there's been a possible third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, there's been discussion by your trainor Freddie Roach, standing right behind you, of maybe going up another 5 pounds, and fighting Ricky Hatton. Which fight do you like?

Manny Pacquiao: Well, sir, my job is to uh, I'm just a fighter, my job is to prepare in the ring and to fight. That's the promoter's job, you know, I'm just a fighter in the ring.

Jim Lampley: You want to fight in November, or do you think it will be past at the end of the year?

Manny Pacquiao: Well, I can fight on November, so I'm getting prepared for that.

Jim Lampley: All right, and are you now, the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world?

Manny Pacquiao: Well, uh, thank you, and thanks God for all the blessing. And to all the people who love boxing, to support me, without you guys, I'm not here. So thank you, thank you.

Jim Lampley: All right, thank you Manny and congratulations on a great start in a new weight class. Let's turn now to the extremely brave young man, who Manny vanquished here tonight.

David Diaz (to Manny): (Manny shakes his hand) Great fight, great fight...

Jim Lampley: ... a moment of great sportmanship here. David there was a moment between rounds that you said to your trainor Jim Strickland: "I can handle his punches, he's just too fast." Was that basically the story of the fight?

David Diaz: Yeah, he was too fast. The fucker was too fast.

Jim Lampley: Did you have any idea coming here that he would be that way?

David Diaz: No, I actually saw him on tape and I was like "Yeah, I could deal with that speed," you know. The power was the one I was worried about. But he was too fucking too fast man. Fast, fast, fast.

Jim Lampley: Amazingly fast.

David Diaz: Fast. I thought Freddie was in there hitting me too.

Jim Lampley: Hahaha...

David Diaz: Well, you go to the fight, you go in and you risk it. Well, with a guy like this Manny, shit, at least I can say that I fought a good fighter man. And that's all I want. I want to fight. That's it.

Jim Lampley: You got cut in the nose, I think, in the first round. By the 2nd or 3rd round, a cut above your eye appeared. Obviously, Jimmy was trying to do everything to stop, but the blood kept coming. How much did that bother you during the fight?

David Diaz: No, it didn't bother me at all. I thought, he has a knife with him though. I thought he was cutting me a blade. 'Cause he was fast, he was faster than what I expected. I could deal with the power, but it was the speed was more than I thought it was. And I got tricked by his speed.

Jim Lampley: All right, Floyd Mayweather has retired, the argument is who's the best pound for pound fighter in the world now? Is it Pacquiao, is it Joe Calzaghe, is it maybe rising superstar Miguel Cotto. After what you saw tonight, is there really an argument?

David Diaz: Well, yeah, I'm not going to say he's not, he just beat me man. He's good, he's fucking good, my hats go off to him, we went in there, I fought and I gave it my all, and his speed is just a fucking, that thing that sealed it for me. His speed is too uncontrollable. My hats off to him, he's a good fighter and you know, what else can I say? We lost today, tommorow we'll win.

Jim Lampley: Aside from rooting for the Cubs to win for the World Series, and all of Chicago's other big possibilities right now, what's in your future?

David Diaz: Well, we're gonna go back, relax, give in to the hush hours, and then we'll take it from there to see what happens. I'm gonna take a nice little break, and just come back it man. I mean, I'm 32 years old, I'm getting up there, but I started about 8. I mean to go up there and go with a guy like Manny Pacquiao, shit, I think I'm doing pretty good.

Jim Lampley: You heard them chanting "Manny, Manny, Manny," do you think you go the respect of the crowd tonight?

David Diaz: I hope I did. You know what only time will tell. If they like the way I fight, then that's just it. If they don't like the way I fight, then they don't like the way I fight.

Jim Lampley: It was a brave show. Thank you very much David.

David Diaz: Manny Pacquiao is an awesome, awesome person.

Jim Lampley: Allright. Emmanuel Steward, we heard from both fighters, you saw what you saw on the ring, your final thoughts.

Emmanuel Steward: Well, I though Manny Pacquiao fought a tremendous fight. I predicted that he would incorporate head movement tonight because of the style of Diaz. But I don't think he would be moving and punching and doing such a variety of thing. It was a spectacular performance.

Jim Lampley: And a spectacular debut in the lightweight class for Manny Pacquiao, who now has a title in a fourth weight class in his amazing career.

Probably the greatest of all Asian fighter in the history of the sport.

He makes his statement a powerfully compelling one for the status of #1 pound for pound and looks ahead toward a possible rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez, or even the possible fight with Ricky Hatton, or any of the half dozen potential big fights for the man who would be the departure of Mayweather, and the potential departure of De la Hoya looms as the economic bell cow of boxing. The fighter who anyone near his weight class is going to want to fight, because of the response of crowds like this.

Update: The Boston Celtics Celebrating with Manny Pacquiao Video

Here's an article from abs-cbn:

The Celtics are in town to watch Manny Pacquiao fight David Diaz at Mandanay Bay Saturday evening.

If plans push through, the newly crowned NBA champions from Boston, led by the Big Three (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen) will be at ringside to root for the Filipino challenger.

According to Pacquiao’s pointman in Los Angeles, Winchell Campos, 16 tickets have already been reserved for members of the Boston Celtics, most of whom are already in town as of Friday.

"They all wanted to see Pacquiao fight, knowing that Pacquiao is a big fan of the team," said Campos who said he personally talked to Garnett over the phone on the eve of the fight.

Pacquiao knew of the Celtics’ plan to come and see him fight, and even offered them tickets. But later on Mandalay Bay said it would provide the ringside tickets for the reigning world champions.

Campos said they are working it out with Mandalay Bay officials how the Celtics, or at least a few of them, could get inside Pacquiao’s dressing room before or after the scheduled 12-rounder.

Pacquiao is a big Celtics fan, and in the recent finals against the Los Angeles Lakers he kept on rooting for the men in green.

When he checked at Mandalay Bay last Monday, he talked about the recent NBA Finals, how he knew even before the start that the Lakers would find no answer to the Celtics’ "deeper bench."

Pacquiao proudly wore a Celtics cap that night, the cap being presented to him by a friend during his last day of training at the Wild Card Gym in LA.

On that day, as he saw his trainer Freddie Roach trying on the cap, Pacquiao yelled, "Hey, coach that’s mine!"


Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers 2008 Game 1

Here's another preview for the Pacquiao vs Diaz fight. This one is from the cable station Viva Prime. Although not the best, Viva's preview is pretty much the most thorough and comprehensive. Ronnie Nathanielsz interviews are quite good.

So far preview videos run aplenty, there is the Top Rank countdown, HBO: Pacquiao's Greatest Hits, a Special at Jessica Soho, a brief Top Rank: Pacquiao Highlights, and a Canadian TV Preview Video.

Viva Prime Sports Special Part 1


Viva Prime Sports Special Part 2


Viva Prime Sports Special Part 3


Viva Prime Sports Special Part 4


Viva Prime Sports Special Part 5


Viva Prime Sports Special Part 6


Viva Prime Sports Special Part 7


Viva Prime Sports Special Part 8

I was expecting Boxing Confidential's Man on the Street John Chad to do an interview at Las Vegas for the Pacquiao vs David Diaz fight. Apparently there is no interview in Vegas for this fight, just like there is no HBO Countdown.

Instead we have Boxing Confidential's Michael Marley do an interview of Filipinos at a couple of Filipino Restaurant at New York. The interview is unfruitful in the beginning of the video segment, but became interesting in the end. The last person interviewed, sent his well-wishes to Manny.

Michael Marley Funny Quotes:

Turo-turo = point-point.
Pinakbet = Pink a Bet
Mabuhay = Mabu Ha

New York Restaurant Filipino Interviews Video

James Smith of In This Corner interviews Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach.

"He is like my father. He is like my brother," Manny said when asked about Freddie Roach.

The video below also includes Pacquiao sparring with Roach. "We are the Champions, my friend," Pacquiao sang Queen's song, while punching Freddie's mitts.