Let Manny Pacquiao have all the Mexican support that he could muster.

These words were said by no less than the Filipino boxing icon’s nemesis for his December 6, 2008 epic battle in Las Vegas: Oscar de la Hoya.

"I believe (Julio Cesar) Chavez is going to be on Pacquiao’s side. I heard Chavez and (Antonio) Margarito are going to be on Pacquiao’s side. [It doesn't bother me] at all,” de la Hoya said in a report by Boxingscene.com’s Mark Vester.

According to the 10-time world champ, the Mexicans who have signified support for Pacquiao were not the idols that he looked up to when he was growing up anyway.

“The one fighter that I looked up to the most or the fighters from Mexico that I looked up to the most, will be on my side, which is Ruben Olivares, Pipino Cuevas, Chiquita Gonzalez, and Finito Lopez. So those types of fighters are the fighters that I really admired growing up," the Golden Boy added.

During his teleconference call earlier this week, de la Hoya said that his last visit to Mexico sometime in September gathered around 20 “Mexican greats” who threw their all-out support for him.

“I feel very fortunate to have these great legends, talking about the fight and the Chiquita Gonzalezes and Pipino Cuevases of this world, the greats from Mexico who will be supporting me 100 percent,” he said.

But the support of champions aside, Pacquiao coach Freddie Roach still thinks that true-blue Mexicans will rally behind his ward.
“Believe me, the true Mexican fans are going to be on Manny Pacquiao’s side. Because you know what, Oscar’s never been accepted by the true Mexican fans from Mexico. Mexican-Americans yes, but not Mexicans,” Roach told Boxingscene.com in the past.

‘Come step into my home, Pacman’

The Hall of Fame trainer has said that Pacquiao’s explosiveness in beating the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez placed him on top of the list of Mexican boxing fans who have learned to respect the Filipino boxing icon known in the international arena as “the Mexicutioner.”

Simply put, Roach “believes in his heart” that the average Mexican adore and will cheer for Pacquiao because  of his fighting style.

“The Mexicans love that. People call Manny the 'Mexican Assassin' but Manny’s never really taken that name. He doesn’t dislike anybody. But believe me, the Mexican fans from Mexico will be cheering for Manny that night. I believe that with my heart," he said.

As for Pacquiao’s speed, de le Hoya said he will come well-prepared.

“If you have a fighter who is going to come at me, a fighter who is going to throw strong punches with full force, with full speed, and is going to stay in front of me and has the heart to fight as hard as he can, then I welcome it,” he said.

The former US Olympian said that if Pacquiao charges at him, his doors will be open but the Filipino should better prepare for what he’s going to face.
“I open up the door and I let them right into my home. Hey, let's fight!” de la Hoya said. - Roy Medina, abs-cbnNEWS.com