Byline: STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LAS VEGAS -- Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker entered the final pre-fight press conference in a large ballroom at Caesars Palace wearing shades, a cap turned backwards, gold chains and an earring, headphones and a Penn State T-Shirt.
While promoters, trainers, other fighters on the undercard of Saturday's Whitaker-Oscar De La Hoya fight and various officials droned on and on, Whitaker rocked on. And while the dog and pony show raged on, Whitaker sat, swaying back-and-forth, often with eyes closed, while listening to a Phil Perry CD.
When it was Whitaker's turn to speak, he talked of how De La Hoya will begin to feel the pressure when reality sets in Friday night that he will have to fight the best fighter in the world pound-for-pound.
``This is the Academy Awards,'' Whitaker said. ``Between about (11 and 11:30) Saturday night, I'll be picking up my Oscar.''
Whitaker's trainer, Ronnie Shields, later laughed about it.
``He shocked me with that,'' Shields said. ``That line right there probably sold about another 10,000 homes for pay-per-view.''
Pay-per-view sales going briskly
The fight, which will be broadcast on TVKO, has been selling well so far. TVKO officials estimate that between 800,000 and 1 million homes will purchase the fight, which would top the pay-per-view record for a non-heavyweight fight. Whitaker-Julio Cesar Chavez in 1993 set that record with 740,000 buys and grossing between $25 million and $28 million in pay-per-view sales.
Promoter Bob Arum said the number of closed-circuit locations that will carry the fight could approach 2,000.
TVKO will utilize new anti-piracy technology in an attempt to catch viewers who try to steal the pay-per-view signal.
De La Hoya likes not missing a meal
Less than three years ago, De La Hoya became a world champion at 130 pounds. He has moved up quickly since then, first to lightweight, then junior welterweight and now takes his first run at welterweight without so much as a tuneup fight before facing a polished veteran.
At 5-foot-11, De La Hoya has the frame to handle additional steps up the ladder. His goal is to win titles in six weight classes.
``I was concerned about the seven pounds I had to gain and that it would slow me down or I wouldn't have the same power,'' De La Hoya said. ``But we did everything right in training for this fight, and I feel faster and stronger.''Quote-unquote
Blustery Lou Duva, on co-trainer/conditioning coach Bob Wareing: ``This guy knows more about weight training than Jane Fonda.''
Duva again, on Whitaker: ``He can punch from the right side. He can punch from the left side. I would say he's naturally amphibious.''
Whitaker, when asked about how everyone goes on and on about how handsome De La Hoya is: ``I'm not bad looking myself.''
