Pacquiao vs. DeLa Hoya: A Dream Fight?

(L-R) Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines throws a left to the head of Oscar De La Hoya during their welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena December 6, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Getty Images)more pics »Pacquiao VS. De La Jolla

Here it is people…the most anticipated fight for WBC; Manny Pacquiao, Filipino boxing icon from Manila Philippines is going to fight the WBC Super weltertweight Championship at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on December 6, 2008 with Oscar de la Hoya. This game has always been the dream match in boxing.

 

Promoter Bob Arum says it all started as a fantasy. Nobody thought that the idea would ever be taken seriously. Now, it had become the match that it is, a glaring $100 million dollar deal that is greater than any other that boxing ever had. Pacquiao vs. De la Hoya Tickets are officially priced at $1,500, $1,000, $750, $500 and $250 but because of high demand and bulk purchases, the retail prices are expected to go as much as $42,000.

However, a lot boxing insiders are asking if the fight be worth its hype.

Initially, there were apprehensions whether Oscar De la Hoya can cope with the Pacman. They say that Manny Pacquiao is perhaps too young and much faster than what De la Hoya can handle. When Golden Boy Promotion’s CEO was interviewed a few weeks ago, he said something like the Pacman is different from the fighters that they want Oscar to fight. The others are said to attack only from one direction- the front door. Pacquiao, however, enters and exits from the front, side, back and any other door, making him very difficult to predict.

Oscar De La Hoya leaves the ring after his loss to Manny Pacquiao in their welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena December 6, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Getty Images)more pics »

But now that the fight night is getting closer, a lot of people are saying otherwise. These naysayers however, speak with good authority and should not be taken lightly. The first is De la Hoya’s on/off and quite expensive trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr. Acknowledged as one of the best boxing trainers, he declared that Pacquiao will be an easy pick for De la Hoya and that any coach will suffice for Oscar (in the upcoming fight). According to Mayweather Sr., the fight will end as soon as the first of De la Hoya’s left hook lands.

Others include Massachusetts State Boxing Commission chair Daniel Fitzgerald who declares that the difference in height makes him not want to see the fight, World Boxing Council president Jose Sulaiman who calls the De la Hoya Pacquiao fight a “Circus” and the numerous regulars of online boxing forums. One suggests that the title “Dream Match” be corrected to “Fraud” while another says that the more appropriate is “Dream Mismatch”.

Whatever the most fitting fight title is, one thing is for sure. The fight night has been scheduled and the two fighters will meet. Let us see what the end will be like.

More pictures from the Pacquiao/De La Hoya fight:

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