Boxer De La Hoya Prepares for Saturday’s Bout Against Pacquiao With High-Altitude Training in Big Bear

Golden Boy of boxing Oscar De La Hoya is now in Las Vegas, in preparation for his welterweight fight (at 147 pounds) against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night, though up until last week De La Hoya had spent the last couple months in Big Bear, enjoying—or sweltering through–the benefits of high-altitude training. At a recent press conference, De La Hoya, who had established a training facility here in the ’90s, said, “I didn’t realize how difficult training in Big Bear was until I came back. I think it’s been about six years since the last time I was here. I think it was the best decision I’ve made, at this point of my career. The thinner air is the difference, but the altitude is a killer. You have to work that much harder to get in shape.” During his training here on the mountain, the 35-year-old boxing champion did eight-mile runs over hilly terrain, chopped wood, and sparred at a local boxing facility, in preparation for the December 6 bout at the MGM Grand. Of the match versus his 29-year-old opponent, De La Hoya has said, “I’m scared—I’m scared of what I can do to him.” The De La Hoya/Pacquiao fight is available on pay-per-view, and though the two go head-to-head at 9pm, the HBO program begins at 5:30pm. To order through Charter Cable, at a cost of $54.99, you can either use your remote, or call 866/499-8080.