Golden Boy's Schaefer: Oscar not battered by sparring mate
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/22/2008 3:36 PM
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| De la Hoya and Pacquiao during their New York promotional tour. |
Golden Boy Promotions, Inc. chief executive Richard Schaefer has dismissed rumors that Oscar de la Hoya was beaten by sparring mate Victor Ortiz at the 10-time world champ's training camp in Big Bear Lake, California, over the weekend.
"I doubt it," Schaefer told Boxingscene.com's Robert Morales on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
He added: "The fact is, I actually spoke to him (de la Hoya) Sunday because I was honored as 'Man of the Year' and Oscar came down the mountain to present me with the award and I spent time with Oscar."
Schaefer also said that when he talked with de la Hoya, the boxer did not appeared battered by Ortiz who is slated to fight in one of the undercards of the December 6 megabuck clash between the Golden Boy and Manny Pacquiao.
Ortiz's opponent has yet to be named.
Schaefer said that he had a talk with Raul Jaimes of the Golden Boy training camp and there was no mention of de la Hoya sparring with any one.
"I talked to Raul today and asked him how everything was going and if they had started sparring and he said they had not even started sparring," Schaefer said.
Over the weekend, Ortiz, a 140-pound fighter, went up to the Big Bear training camp to join de la Hoya. The Big Bear trip is actually a break for the 21-year-old who was also scheduled to travel to Miami for a prior engagement.
After that, he is due to return to Big Bear to continue training with de la Hoya.
De la Hoya himself had praised Ortiz after demolishing 47-fight veteran Roberto Arrieta on September 13 for the North American Boxing Organization junior welterweight belt.
"I was very impressed with Victor Ortiz's performance against a tough Argentinean in Arrieta," said de la Hoya.
For de la Hoya, Ortiz showed much promise and power.
"He showed poise, accuracy in his punching and power in knocking Arrieta down three times. Even though he's young, I wouldn't hesitate to put him in with any 140-pounder in the world."
Ortiz is currently ranked number eight by the World Boxing Organization. His win over Arrieta, meanwhile, has moved him up the rankings. Roy Medina, abs-cbnNEWS.com
