VIDEO: De La Hoya media day in Big Bear

December 1st, 2008, 4:13 pm · 4 Comments · posted by CARLOS ARIAS

BIG BEAR LAKE - Oscar De La Hoya, who has won eight world titles in six different weight classes throughout his illustrious career, opened up his training camp in Big Bear to the media on Nov. 13.

De La Hoya was swarmed by all the media who invaded his camp at Summit Altitude Training Center, which is the state-of-the-art compound opened by veteran trainer Abel Sanchez a year ago. De La Hoya returned to Big Bear for the first time in years to prepare for his Dec. 6 showdown against pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

First, De La Hoya fielded interviews from the English-speaking television stations, then the Spanish-speaking TV stations were next. Last but not least, the print media got a hold of the “Golden Boy.”

De La Hoya talked about what it’s been like to have Nacho Beristain, one of Mexico’s premier trainers, and Hall of Famer Angelo Dundee in his corner. He said Beristain is running the day-to-day training sessions and formulating the game plan, while Dundee has been in the camp for insipration and motivation. De La Hoya has been sparring with a number of fighters, including Edwin Valero, Mookie Pendarvis and Fred Tooks. Talented prospect Victor Ortiz also gave De La Hoya some good work before returning home to be closer to his family.

Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer talked about the latest on a possible Sugar Shane Mosley-Antonio Margarito fight. Mosley has agreed to the fight, but apparently Margarito hasn’t so far, according to Schaefer. Schaefer also talked about Golden Boy Promotions future with Affliction and about the upcoming launch of The Ring website.

Comedian/De La Hoya supporter George Lopez talked about how he became friends with De La Hoya six years ago through golf and his love for the sport of boxing.