Oscar De la Hoya recently
opened the doors of his training camp to members of
the international media. FightFan.com was live on
location to capture this exclusive video of Oscar
in training. Included are excerpts from the ensuing
media scrum that took place. Don’t miss this
exclusive peek inside the Golden Boy’s camp,
only on FightFan.com!
Oscar showed to be in
good condition as he worked out before a packed
house full of international reporters. After a feverish
session working the pads with trainer Freddie Roach,
Oscar was in good spirits as he took the time to
have a taste of a Mexican taco after the workout.
“All that’s left is to keep working
hard. The strategy is ready, and now we’re
focusing on my strength. I want to be ready to fight
strong for twelve rounds. My plan is to fight intelligently,
but also aggressive. Right now I’m feeling
fast and very strong. I know I’m the puncher
in this fight, especially at 154 lbs.”
Oscar then spoke about the benefits
of having Freddie Roach as his head trainer for
this fight. “Floyd Sr. was a defensive oriented
trainer. He teaches you how to box with a defensive
mindset. In my past fights if I stood with an opponent
to trade punches, even in a fight I was winning,
I would come back to the corner and he would tell
me to box. That strategy wouldn’t work so
well for this fight.”
With Roach, Oscar explained that he
feels more inclined to attack and go on the offensive.
“Freddie Roach is more aggressive. He works
with more combinations and hard shots in succession
that have always been my style since I was a kid.
I’ve always liked to trade shots in there.
I feel very comfortable now going back to my roots.
I’m feeling very good about my timing and
my speed right now. I want to keep fighting. I know
I’m 34 years old and these young guys are
very good; but I’m confident about my skills.
I love this sport. It’s my passion. I was
born to be a boxer.”
Oscar’s face showed the signs
of an intense camp. He was sporting a bruised right
cheek, the product of ten rounds of sparring with
various top notch fighters including former nemesis
“Sugar” Shane Mosley. “Sparring
with Mosley has been very good. He can imitate Floyd’s
style very well. His right hands, hooks and jabs.”
Oscar went on to say.
It was also noted that Oscar had sparred
a few rounds with 105lb WBO titleist Ivan Calderon
to work exclusively on dealing with the smaller
fighter’s blazing hand speed. That speed was
something Oscar marveled at. “Calderon has
helped a lot. He’s so fast, he didn’t
let me hit him.” Oscar said with a smile on
his face.
Wrapping the media scrum up,
Oscar added: “Training in Puerto Rico has
been very good to me. The heat, the humidity…
it makes you work a lot harder. Plus I feel very
comfortable here. Living here for five years with
a Puerto Rican wife and a Puerto Rican son…
I feel I’ve been accepted as an adopted son.
That motivates me because I can’t let them
down. I still have Mexican blood and I appreciate
all the support they have always given me as well.
The same goes for my fans everywhere. I’m
dedicating this fight to my family and to all Latino
people everywhere!”
