Boxing: Pacquiao praises Hoya retirement

Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao yesterday made known his thoughts on the recent retirement of his idol Oscar De la Hoya, stating that he admired the Golden Boy of boxing for leaving the sport at the perfect time.

In his column over the widely-read website Philboxing.com, Pacquiao cited De la Hoya's achievements inside the ring, but also emphasized that his former foe is an even more successful and more admirable outside the squared jungle.

“Bilib ako sa mga nakamit ni Dela Hoya na mga parangal at mga titulo. Ang pagiging champion sa anim na divisions ay isa lamang sa mga pinakamalaking record na naitala ni Oscar sa kaniyang buhay. Pero bukod pa sa sampung magkakaibang titulo, alam kong siya ay hindi lang kampeon sa ibabaw ng ring kundi pati na rin sa labas nito, sa pang-araw araw na buhay,” Pacquiao stated in his Philboxing.com column.

Pacquiao also divulged that his victory over De la Hoya last December remains up to this day “like a dream come true” as it came at the expense of his idol, whom he has looked up to since he was yet a gangling neophyte fighting for a few hundred pesos per bout in Manila.

“Oscar, I salute you and I know that you will continue to be with us in your capacity as the head of Golden Boy Promotions. Good luck on your new journey,” Pacquiao wrote in closing.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao was accompanied by promoter Bob Arum and three-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach in a press conference yesterday at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

According to Fightnews, Pacquiao started the workout by hitting the mitts with Freddie Roach’s new assistant trainer Michael Moorer holding the pad for him. Pacquiao, according to the report, did not spar but his sparring partner Raymond Serrano of Philadelphia (9-0 5KO’s) was able to address the media.

“I was selected to be Manny’s sparring partner because my style is similar to Hatton’s. I have been studying Ricky Hatton’s strategies for some time now,” said 19-year-old welterweight (147 lbs). “Pacquiao is fast and hits hard, no questions asked Manny will be victorious.”

The Filipino icon continued his workout by hitting the punching bag followed by the double end bags and speed bag.