LOS ANGELES, California—A sharp defensive move designed to thwart Oscar De La Hoya’s fabulous left hook—and possibly serve as launching pad for a big body shot—was unveiled ahead of schedule during the arrival of a wave of Manny Pacquiao backers from Manila on Friday night here.

Nonoy Neri, Team Pacquiao resident nutritionist and deputy trainer, confirmed that, contrary to suspicion, Pacquiao has been working equally hard on defense to build up the necessary armor which had been visibly absent in many of his past big fights.

“Unang-una yung left hook kailangan mailagan (Our prime concern is De La Hoya’s left hook),” Neri told the Inquirer as he fetched an incoming group that included GAB boxing division chief Nasser Cruz, matchmaker Wakee Salud and Pacquiao’s younger brother Ramon.

Leaner by at least a dozen pounds, Neri, in plain white T-shirt and blue shorts, ducked low to avoid an imaginary left hook, before unleashing a short rib-crusher in the direction of an uncovered mid-section.

The move was not for public consumption and, based on the secrecy inside the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, this particular weapon should’ve been unveiled only on fight night.

But hasn’t Freddie Roach claimed that their main thrust was to take the jab out of De La Hoya?

“Tapos na ‘yun (We’ve already perfected that),” Neri assured.

“‘Pag ‘di namin na-remedyuhan left hook ni Oscar, tagilid (We would be in trouble if we failed to solve Oscar’s left hook),” Neri added.

It could not be verified if it was the same plot which Roach had vowed to spring on fight night Dec. 6 at the Las Vegas MGM Grand.