By Nick Giongco
Dr. Ed dela Vega is getting ready to personally deliver the customized mouthguard that Manny Pacquiao will wear when he guns for Argentine champion Lucas Matthysse’s World Boxing Association welterweight crown on July 15 in Malaysia.
The purpose of the trans-Pacific journey – from Los Angeles to the Philippines – is two-fold.
Two mouthguards will end up on Pacquiao’s lap on June 18 as Dela Vega will travel to General Santos City but the trip will also enable the two to exchange thoughts regarding the cornerwork.
Buboy Fernandez will be the main voice in Pacquiao’s corner but also providing insights if asked will be Australian conditioning coach Justin Fortune.
As for his role as cutman, Dela Vega expressed readiness to rise to the challenge.
Informed about Matthysse’s rugged style, Dela Vega insists Pacquiao’s trainers already have Matthysse all figured out after learning the bitter lesson of allowing Jeff Horn to bully the Filipino star on the ropes last year.
Besides, Dela Vega feels Pacquiao is smart enough to avoid being bullied once more.
“I saw the last Matthysse fight and Manny Pacquiao can handle him,” added Dela Vega.
In the meantime, Dela Vega is starting to pack so anything that comes his way during the fight will be “adequately addressed.”
