Pacquiao vs De La Hoya
On December 6, 2008, in Las Vegas, Boxing's golden boy, Oscar De la Hoya will fight the current best pound for pound boxer in the world, Manny Pacquiao. Oscar de la Hoya holds a record of 10 world titles (in 6 different categories) while Manny Pacquiao has won 4 official world titles in different weight classes.
Oscar De la Hoya started his professional career with a Super featherweight (130 lbs) title and worked his way to the Junior Middleweight (152 lbs) and finally, the middleweight (160 lbs) crowns. Compared to De la Hoya, Pacquiao's start was in the measly 106 lbs category and it was only recently when he jumped into the 135 lbs division. He made his mark (at 126 ~ 130 lbs.) when he twice won over boxing legends Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales and drew and conquered another legend Juan Miguel Marquez. After that, he gained 5 lbs to defeat the current world champion David Diaz via a spectacular display of boxing prowess, speed, agility and a 9th round knockout punch.
Come December 6, 2008. Both fighters will clash at the 147 lbs division. Pacquiao, which has just climbed in weight class, will make an eye raising 12 lbs weight gain while De la Hoya will be fighting right within his turf. De la Hoya's last 2 fights were within the 150 lbs range and all he needs to do is check in weighing 147 lbs, a day before the fight. At that weight, De la Hoya should not be in as much trouble as Pacquiao, who is a newbie in the 135 lbs division and yet, will have to gain weight once more. This time, the weight gain will be much bigger. Concerns are whether Pacquiao will be able to maintain his speed and stamina in the much heavier weight class and whether his power will have any effect on the people in that division.
To address such fears, Manny Pacquiao now spars with boxers that are tall and southpaws like De la Hoya. Feedback says that Pacquiao is holding very well. On the other hand, De la Hoya is using the trainer of Juan Miguel Marquez, the only fighter that Pacquiao had difficulty defeating.
In my objective opinion, Pacquiao will remain much faster and a lot more agile than Oscar De la Hoya. However, Oscar will have the upper hand in terms of reach, height and power. It is widely believed that all he needs is one left hook and the small Pacquiao will be knocked down.
De la Hoya is expected to be very dangerous in the first few rounds but age will probably get him tired and weak on the later stages. Should the fight end early, it means that Pacquiao was on the receiving end of De la Hoya's famed left hook. But should the fight last till the later rounds, it probably means that Pacquiao was able to withstand or evade De la Hoya's power shots and had taken charge of the fight. Pacquiao will probably win on points if not a knockdown on the later rounds. I believe that all that De la Hoya needs is one shot to knock Pacquiao out. But should he be deprived of that, Pacquiao will play with him to lead on points, weaken him through body shots and probably score a knockout.
Oscar De la Hoya started his professional career with a Super featherweight (130 lbs) title and worked his way to the Junior Middleweight (152 lbs) and finally, the middleweight (160 lbs) crowns. Compared to De la Hoya, Pacquiao's start was in the measly 106 lbs category and it was only recently when he jumped into the 135 lbs division. He made his mark (at 126 ~ 130 lbs.) when he twice won over boxing legends Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales and drew and conquered another legend Juan Miguel Marquez. After that, he gained 5 lbs to defeat the current world champion David Diaz via a spectacular display of boxing prowess, speed, agility and a 9th round knockout punch.
Come December 6, 2008. Both fighters will clash at the 147 lbs division. Pacquiao, which has just climbed in weight class, will make an eye raising 12 lbs weight gain while De la Hoya will be fighting right within his turf. De la Hoya's last 2 fights were within the 150 lbs range and all he needs to do is check in weighing 147 lbs, a day before the fight. At that weight, De la Hoya should not be in as much trouble as Pacquiao, who is a newbie in the 135 lbs division and yet, will have to gain weight once more. This time, the weight gain will be much bigger. Concerns are whether Pacquiao will be able to maintain his speed and stamina in the much heavier weight class and whether his power will have any effect on the people in that division.
To address such fears, Manny Pacquiao now spars with boxers that are tall and southpaws like De la Hoya. Feedback says that Pacquiao is holding very well. On the other hand, De la Hoya is using the trainer of Juan Miguel Marquez, the only fighter that Pacquiao had difficulty defeating.
In my objective opinion, Pacquiao will remain much faster and a lot more agile than Oscar De la Hoya. However, Oscar will have the upper hand in terms of reach, height and power. It is widely believed that all he needs is one left hook and the small Pacquiao will be knocked down.
De la Hoya is expected to be very dangerous in the first few rounds but age will probably get him tired and weak on the later stages. Should the fight end early, it means that Pacquiao was on the receiving end of De la Hoya's famed left hook. But should the fight last till the later rounds, it probably means that Pacquiao was able to withstand or evade De la Hoya's power shots and had taken charge of the fight. Pacquiao will probably win on points if not a knockdown on the later rounds. I believe that all that De la Hoya needs is one shot to knock Pacquiao out. But should he be deprived of that, Pacquiao will play with him to lead on points, weaken him through body shots and probably score a knockout.
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