Dentist Crafts Colorful Mouth Guard For Manny Pacquiao
LAS VEGAS (CBS/AP) -- As Manny Pacquiao's dentist, Ed de la Vega will be keeping an especially close eye on any punches Floyd Mayweather Jr. lands to the mouth of the Filipino boxer during their highly anticipated bout Saturday.
De la Vega molded Pacquiao's mouth guard about six weeks ago to give the fighter time to acclimate to it. He has worked for Pacquiao for nearly a decade, giving him an up-close view of the boxer -- in the ring and dentist chair.
"He's the guy with no cavities, (and) to think he came from poor origins where people lose their teeth," de la Vega said.
He said mouth guards for pro athletes - whether the sport is football, basketball, hockey or even badmitton - is highly specialized work that can play a major role in preventing catstrophic injuries.
He believe's Pacquiao's mouth guard, adorned in the colors of the Filipino flag, is well-made.
"If he has a problem, then it's my fault," he said.
De la Vega also said that he met with Pacquiao Saturday morning and he's really relaxed. His mindset is that he has lost five times in his career, and Mayweather hasn't, so the pressure is on the opponent.
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