Dundee says his man lost to a better fighter

LAS VEGAS – Angelo Dundee didn’t get it this time.

“These things happen in boxing,” he said after the fight where his newest student, Oscar dela Hoya, took a bitter, painful loss against the biggest pride of the Philippines – Manny Pacquiao.

Dundee trained some of the great fighters the world had ever seen and was called in late in the day to share his knowledge and expertise with Team Dela Hoya. They all hoped for the best.

“You’d think we had everything to the T,” he said.

“I think Dela Hoya gave everything he had out there and you have to give him credit. It was just not his night,” Dundee added.

He said it was great to have a fight like this, and it was just a pity that Dela Hoya had to lose that way.

“The guy was in great shape. But the other guy was in better shape. Dela Hoya was ready to beat Pacquiao. He did all the preparation. But the best laid plans of mice and men go bye-bye,” he told the packed media center.

He thought they had Pacquiao.

“I was dead wrong. I hope I’ll get it right next time,” said Dundee.

There’s always a next time, even for this 87-year-old genius. – Abac Cordero