Browse > Home / Articles/Stories / Pacquio takes on Dela Joya Dec. 6

Pacquio takes on Dela Joya Dec. 6

September 16, 2008

LAS VEGAS = It’s now called the biggest boxing match in years here.

Barring last-minute hitches, US-born Mexican Oscar De La Hoya, boxing’s box office superstar in the past decade, will take on boxing’s pound-for-pound Filipino champion today Manny Pacquiao in what promises to be a $100-million welterweight bout on Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand.

After the announcement of the Dec. 6 fight, Pacquiao said in Manila he will be retiring next year after the Dela Joya and probably two other fights. At the same time, he was sworn in as a member of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s KAMPI party by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno. Pacquiao, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in the last election, is seeking the governor’s seat in Mindanao.
In the usual prop up for the fight, Dela Joya was quoted as saying he will fight to redeem the predominance of Mexico in the boxing world. Pacquiao responded: “I will frustrate the desire of Oscar De La Hoya to avenge the defeats of the great Mexican boxers who lost to me. I am dedicating this forthcoming fight to my countrymen and all the boxing fans all over the world.”
pacquiadelahoya.jpgPacquiao’s camp has promised to give the nation another moment of boxing glory. Pacquiao acknowledges that this will be the toughest test in his boxing career because of the reach and height advantage of Dela Joya.
“This fight, however, will not be a walk in the park for Oscar De La Hoya. The boxing fans will see the same fire and intensity they have witnessed in my previous fights.”
He will shortly begin intensive training.
“Don’t worry,” Pacquiao said with a laugh over the phone when asked what he thought of his opponent, an American of Mexican descent, who is also known as boxing’s “Golden Boy.”
At 5-foot-10 inches, De La Hoya stands four inches taller than Pacquiao and has a 6-inch reach advantage over the Filipino. But at 29, Pacquiao is six years younger.
“This is the biggest fight of my life,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao, the reigning WBC lightweight (135 lbs) champion and Dela Hoya at 147 lbs. have both agreed to use 8-ounce gloves for the dream match.
Pacquiao described the coming fight, the farewell fight for Dela Hoya, as the biggest test of his boxing career, which started 13 years ago when the Pinoy superstar was a gangling, struggling 106-pound fighter.
“This will be the toughest test in my boxing career because of the reach and height advantage of my esteemed opponent aside from his great boxing skills,” added Pacquiao, at 5-foot-6 around four inches shorter but can earn more than $15 million for this fight.
In his previous fights, even those against the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao earned around $5 million each outing. Against Dela Hoya, he gets thrice as much.
Late last month in Camp Crame, Pacquiao was sworn in by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno who is also president of the party founded by President Arroyo, as a member of the Kablikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Partner of Free Filipino Kampi).
“Sigurado na, na tatakbo ako [It is sure, I am running],” said Pacquiao.
“Isang malaking karangalan talaga na makalaban ko si Oscar. Hindi ko akalaing makasasagupa ko siya, [It is a great honor to fight Oscar. I never imagined I would go up against him," Pacquiao said, adding that he would fight, at most, two more time before hanging up his gloves for good.
Pacquiao said his parents want the De La Hoya fight to be his last. The two will slug it out at the 147-pound welterweight division.
"My parents wanted me to retire after the De La Hoya fight. But I feel I can still fight two more fights," Pacquiao said.
Puno said although there is no decision yet on what position Pacquiao will run for, "malaki ang maitutulong niya kung tatakbo siya bilang [he will be a great help if he runs for] congressman or as a local government official.”
In the May 2007 elections, Pacquiao contested the congressional seat of the first district of South Cotabato but lost by a landslide to Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

Similar Topics

Posted by News Team · Filed Under Articles/Stories 

Related Keywords: , , , ,

We love to hear your comments...

Got something to say?





Classic Movies from Snoflagytes.Net