Beristain: Manny can't beat Oscar

CEBU - Legendary Mexican trainer and future Hall of Famer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain prognosticates a great encounter between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De la Hoya, but thinks there is no way the Filipino ring superstar can beat the six-division world champion.

Beristain said that although Pacquiao has the edge in terms of speed and power, De la Hoya is the bigger, stronger and smarter fighter.

“I see a great fight, I’ve been in boxing for many years and I see this one as a great fight. I can tell you it’s going to be a great fight because Manny Pacquiao is an excellent fighter, Oscar De La Hoya is the best fighter, in this case I can say Manny Pacquiao has everything to gain and nothing to lose,” said Beristain in an interview with the Philippine-based website www.sportsnews.ph. “If he wins there’s going to be madness and craziness in Manila that you people might consider putting up a monument for Manny.”

“Manny’s advantage is his speed and power but I don’t see Manny Pacquiao winning against Oscar since Oscar is the bigger, stronger and smarter fighter. I don’t think Manny Pacquiao has a chance,” added Beristain.

If given the opportunity, Beristain said he would love to train De la Hoya for the blockbuster show set for December 6 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“There has been some conversations going but nothing’s official. Maybe the end of the week we will know who will be Oscar De la Hoya’s trainer,” said Beristain, who had trained 16 world champions including the linear lightweight titlist Juan Manuel Marquez. “Definitely I would like to be in his corner and to form part of his team. Oscar is an excellent person, an extraordinary fighter so why not. He is one of the best and I would like to be part of the team.”

When asked what’s going to happen in the fight, Beristain replied:“I believe it will last the distance but if it ends earlier it’s going to be by technical knockout for Oscar.”  (THE FREEMAN)