Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao agree to fight
By Marcus Henry
We won't get to see Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather, but we are getting the next best thing.
ESPN.com's Dan Rafael reported Wednesday that De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao will meet on December 6, possibly at the MGM Grand. The two are reportedly set to square off at 147 pounds. An official announcement is expected Thursday, according to ESPN.com.
All the talk of De La Hoya taking on Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto turned out to be a pipe dream. There was no way the "Golden Boy" was ready to take on two of boxing's most powerful punchers. Paul Williams? Although he's worthy, Williams doesn't have enough of a name for De La Hoya to risk ruining his legacy.
But De La Hoya saved face by taking on Pacquiao (47-3, 35 KOs). Pacquiao, who captured the WBC Lightweight title with a ninth-round TKO over David Diaz, is considered by many to be the sports best pound-for-pound fighter.
You're probably asking why De La Hoya decided to take on Pacquiao. The answer is simple. As great as Pacquiao has become, it will be the first time the Phillipine native will fight north of 135 pounds. In fact, his fight against Diaz was the first time he fought as a lightweight. In his eight fights prior to Diaz, Pacquiao fought as a super featherweight. Before that he fought as a featherweight, a super bantamweight and a flyweight.
De La Hoya on the other hand, hasn't fought below 150 pounds since scoring a fifth-round TKO over Arturo Gatti in 2001. De La Hoya should have a distinct advantage in size and power, which means the chance of a knockout is a real possiblity. That doesn't mean De La Hoya will enter the ring as the favorite or even win the fight, but it underscores how much De La Hoya values his legacy. A close loss to Pacquiao, who shouldn't be able to seriously hurt the bigger De La Hoya, will look a lot better than a beating at the hands of Margarito or Cotto.
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Comments (8)
PACQUIAO has nothing to gain by moving-up 2 weight classes and fighting the day-by-day aging DE LA HOYA - except of course for a huge payday!!! WHAT WILL THIS FIGHT PROVE??? Whether OSCAR or MANNY is the 'best fighter' of this ODD COUPLING??? Fans can cheer/root for their favorite MEXICANO via SOUTHERNCALIFORNIA or this PHILLIPINO trying to show the world in a marque match that he is a worthy champion.
You are right on the money Zyskandar. De La Hoya wanted no part of Cotto, Margarito or even Paul Williams. Win or lose, Oscar can say he fought the best pound for pound fighter in the world.
This is a another in a long line of big pay days for Oscar. To be honest, I don't see anything wrong with Pacquiao taking this fight. He's had a great year and deserves a big money bout.
I agree. This fight means nothing. Just another huge payday for Oscar and Manny.
pacman has to much speed and is in his prime and a special fighter, its gonna be a good fight but i favor manny
I just think Oscar will be too big and too strong. Manny gets hit a lot. Those punches will take a toll.
I think Oscar took this fight to avoid a fight with Margarito. A fight with Margarito would be a for sure loss for Oscar. A fight with Manny well Oscar might have chance to win here. Their is still doubt though that Oscar can win against pacman, but their is no doubt that he would lose against Margarito.
All wrong manny is currently using crack, I have connections that inform me that without it he will lose to oscar.
oscar should fight the best italian boxer ever ROCKY BALBOA
did you see what he did in his last fight or on his video games.
oscar will dominate this fight hands down.wanna bet a cool 10,000 ,let me know baby!!!!