Thousand of fans came out on a hot sunny day in San Antonio to see their heroes, Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao, stand in front of the Alamo and announce their upcoming December 6th fight. De La Hoya and Pacquiao shared the energy of the Alamo as the fans equally cheered for both fighters during the fourth of six stops of the press tour. At a place engulfed with history, De La Hoya encouraged “everyone to remember the Alamo” by promising a knock out. The fighters displayed their appreciation for the fan turn out labeling San Antonio “the best stop thus far on the tour.”
In addition to the dynamic and enthusiastic throng of supporter, a special moment took place when the fighters announced a $10,000 donation to Oscar Diaz, accepted by his sister, Theresa Zdunczyk, who attended the press conference. Diaz who is slowly recovering from a brain injury he sustained in his last bout was acknowledged by crowd and the entire boxing community in attendance during this heartfelt time of remembrance.
Photo Credit: John Rivera - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions
Oscar De La Hoya
“It is always overwhelming being in San Antonio, I remember fighting here and these are the best fans.
“I have all these people saying that I am fighting the young, fast, champion fighter, this kind of fight is what gets me going and makes me want to prove everyone wrong especially Freddie Roach.
“My heart will always be in San Antonio. This is the city I met my beautiful wife, but come December 6 I am going to knock you out, Manny and why do I say this here? So you can all remember the Alamo.
Manny Pacquiao
“I would like to first thank God for good health and also thank all of the fans here today without you guys here we are not here.
“It will be a great fight and I will do my best, I love to fight and I promise you will not be disappointed, don’t miss it.”
Richard Schaefer, CEO Golden Boy Promotions
“Of all the cities we have been in so far this is by far the best.
“The Texans fought for independence and they won it here, this fight will not be about independence but about their fans and pride for their countries.”
Bob Arum, Chairman of the Board, Top Rank Inc.
“If the battle of the Alamo had been postponed forty years, the Texans would have won because there would be more Filipinos and they know how to fight the best.
“A lot of people are saying Manny is so much smaller than Oscar how is he going to win? In boxing history, lightweights have come up and won. It is not the size of the fighter but the heart.”
Mark Taffet, Senior Vice President of HBO Pay-Per-View & HBO Sports
“ The last time we were in San Antonio was in 1999 when Oscar fought Trindad. I have to tell you after seeing this turnout, it will not take us nine years to come back.”
Nacho Beristain, De La Hoya Trainer
“On December 6, the son of two Mexicans is going to win for them. He is going to win for all of the Mexicans.”
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao Trainer
“Oscar, good luck you are going to need it.
Theresa Zdunczyk, Oscar Diaz’s Sister
“Thank you Oscar and Manny for this donation. Last night when we told Oscar goodbye, he raised his arm and waved which may not seem big to you, but it is huge for us. Thank you again.”
Source: http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/media/2008/oct/10.13.08/10.13.08.htm
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