De La Hoya and Arum teleconference quotes (Barrera-Pacquaio)

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

This was done today and although not all of the questions were asked by me, I felt these questions were the relevant ones and the ones I could jot down. The talk about the Pacquaio-Barrera fight.

Oscar De La Hoya

How difficult is it for Barrera to have a new trainer after so many fights with one trainer?
“Not difficult at all. When you’re such an experienced fighter, you’re already an established fighter and the trainer already knows that going in. He just needed that trainer to motivate him some more. It works though; same thing happened with me with my first few fights with Mayweather (Sr).”

Some say Barrera isn’t physically the fighter he once was, however how big is intelligence in this fight?
“Well, Marco told me a few fights before that he’s saving the best for last, and I believe him. He’s going to bring it his all and we may see the best Barrera ever.”

How different is this fight from the first fight?
“Barrera is in tremendous shape. He has trained the same way as he did against Naseem Hamed or Erik Morales. There’s no other fighter who can deal with being the underdog than him. The question is, how distracted is Pacquaio? Has Manny been distracted by running for Congress in the Philippines and having himself on a TV show. That’ll be determined on October 6th. One thing for sure is you don’t want to miss this fight.”

What’s your opinion on the photos of you (This was asked by a news reporter NOT a sports writer)
“These pictures are obviously fabricated. I’ve been advised by my attorney not to comment further. I’m just focusing on the fight.”
Arum says…. “The questions should be related to the fight and the fighters, we can forget about this crap. We want to talk about boxing. These guys have been working their asses off and this time is dedicated to them.”

What did you learn from Arum as far as promoting?
“Well you look up to him, you have to. I want to be like Bob in the future. Just like how I wanted to be like Leonard and Robinson when I was a fighter”

This is the first time promoting a show with Arum in years. Especially in the recent past with the tension of the whole Pacquaio contract issue. What is your view on this?
“We’ve been in business together for a long time. We had a bad thing when we didn’t’ talk to each other, but things are back on track. What we said personally, I think we both regret, it was in the heat of the moment. Bob said it perfectly. This is like marriage. Another thing is it should be about the fighters and the fans first. I don’t think the fight with me and Mayweather was the fight that saved boxing. I think THIS is the fight that saved boxing. Now all fighters want to do this and that’s why were getting the best to fight the best.”

How can boxing be built by the internet?
“The MMA people have done a good job by that. But boxing promoters realize how significant the internet is, and are beginning to utilize it.”

If Pacquiaio wins is he the P4P best fighter in the world?
“Well he is an exciting fighter. There are so many fighters who are up there and you can argue. There’s Cotto, there’s Hopkins and Mayweather also. There is so many great fights, and it’s harder to chose who is the best pound for pound fighter.

Should it be an exciting fighter?
“It’s up to the panel, some people like an exciting fighter and some like a technician. Depends on each fan.”

Is there a rematch clause should Barrera win?
“It’s always our last fight, speaking as a fighter of course. Should he win this fight he’ll continue to fight the best and the biggest fight out there.
Arum says: “there is no rematch clause, but there will probably be a rubber match, we’ll be insane not to have one.”

Bob Arum

“I’m also very excited for this fight. No one has to tell me about Barrera. When his back is against the wall, his experience and durability comes into play.”

“Manny has been training in the Phillipines. Yes there are a lot of distractions, but Freddie has said that training has been great. Nobody and I mean nobody trains as hard for a fight as Manny Pacquaio.”

“This should be one of the classic battles. Two of the greatest warriors of our time are fighting.”

You got big fights coming up with your fighters and marquee names. Pacquaio, Pavlik, and Cotto.
“They have one thing in common. They’re all tremendous punchers. I love what they bring to the sport and the excitement when you have a puncher in the ring. They’re all going to be in tremendous shape. They’re all fighting top competition, the best of the best.”

How big are Manny’s distractions?
“You want the fighter to just train and focus on the fight. It’s not always possible for guys like Manny or Oscar. I mean Oscar was making a record (his CD album) at the time, and we went crazy. I’m remember how Oscar trained, and I’m sure about Manny, he has trained hard for this fight and he is in great condition.”

What’s your source for the camp?
“Main source is Freddie Roach, but the lawyers as well, and the writers also.”
“Just in case Barrera wins we can always have a rubber match. Right Oscar?”
Oscar says “Definitely.”

This is the first time promoting a show with Arum in years. Especially in the recent past with the tension of the whole Pacquaio contract issue. What is your view on this?
“Once we saw the light and the issue was settled we realized when we were together we were great. It was a natural situation for us working together moving forward. When we both realized the beneficiaries of all this, the fighters and the fans and the sport of boxing all win. The fans get more entertainment and the fighters get more opportunities. A lot of what we said and did, it was not intelligent on both parts.”

Are any gloves or anything a factor this time?
“It’s Nevada. Nothing is flexible. The gloves have to be 8 ounces, and each fighter can wear their own brand of gloves.”

Martin · Posted: September 27 2007, 20:29 PM Post subject:

Just so you know Riz, I set this up a few days back...

http://www.boxingbanter.com/viewnews.php?t=18077

By-the-way, I don't think Barrera will agree to this :) ---->

“Main source is Freddie Roach, but the lawyers as well, and the writers also.”
“Just in case Barrera wins we can always have a rubber match. Right Oscar?”
Oscar says “Definitely.”

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

haha, if he doesn't well then that is pretty sad, I think if he wins he owes Pacquaio a shot.