Philippines, 25 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PACQUIAO IS UNFAZED BY UNDERDOG STATUS


PhilBoxing.com


San Francisco, CA?This won?t be the first time WBC Lightweight titlist, Manny Pacquiao, has entered the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Area as the underdog. In his debut in the United States, Pacquiao was a huge underdog against IBF Jr. Featherweight titlist Lehlo Ledwaba. Pacquiao was virtually unknown in the United States and took the fight on 14 days notice. Many ringside observers felt Ledwaba was too much for Filipino fighter. However, in unfamiliar territory, Pacquiao smiled and blasted his way into the boxing limelight, scoring the upset victory and shocking the boxing world. Larry Merchant of HBO said it best during his call of the fight, ?I?ve never seen or heard of him before, but now I want to see him again?.

The Ledwaba fight was just one example of Manny?s ability to rise above adversity to win a fight. At 19-years-old, he entered a boxing ring in Thailand and won his first world title, stopping Chatchai Sasakul after being way down on points. Pacquiao was also a 4-1 underdog when he stopped Marco Antonio Barrera in 11 rounds back in 2004.

This Saturday, Pacquiao fights former Middleweight titlist, Oscar De La Hoya, as a 2-1 underdog. The majority of boxing journalist and writers predict that De La Hoya is too tall, big, and strong for Pacquiao to handle. The growing theme surrounding this fight is a ?see it to believe it? belief in Pacquiao?s success over De La Hoya. For any Lightweight to move up two weight classes and defeat a top 10 Super Welterweight is an accomplishment we need to see to believe.

But if there is ever a fighter who can dispense with common beliefs and do the ?impossible?, it?s Manny Pacquiao. He?s done it before.

QUICK JABS ON THE DREAM FIGHT
Both Oscar and Manny return to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, seeking get back into the win column in that venue. De La Hoya lost to Floyd Mayweather in 2008 and Pacquiao lost to Erik Morales in 2005 (in fact, Manny hasn?t won at the MGM since knocking Ledwaba in 2001)?This is the first time since 2004 that De La Hoya has fought more than one time in 12 months. In 2004, he was given a decision victory against Felix Strum and suffered his only knockout loss to Bernard Hopkins later that year?Manny loves ?Pac-Mandalay Bay?. He fought three times at that hotel, winning all three?How confident are both fighters in victory? Both are hosting victory parties after the fight?

MORE QUICK JABS
Is it me or are there a lot of Filipino fighters suffering defeats leading up to the Dream Match? Bobby Pacquiao and Rey Bautista lost fights they were projected to win. Also, Juanito Rubillar recently lost to Edgar Sosa for the WBC Light Flyweight title?Speaking of Rubillar, I was able to watch the fight and felt Rubillar gave a admirable effort in his title challenge. Fighting in Sosa?s home country, Rubillar was able to push Sosa and make him fight. Sosa had to give it his all to score the victory. Rubillar was in the fight before a single body shot hurt Rubillar, who was not able to recover before the end of the 7th round. Official judge for the bout, Rey Danseco, scored the fight most accurately at 58-55 for Sosa. Danseco was congratulated on his performance by the WBC.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jason Aniel.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Aims for First World Title against Mexican Puncher Jorge Garcia
    , Fri, 25 Jul 2025
  • PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III Fights Davao Acting Mayor Baste Duterte in a Charity Boxing Match; Who Wins? (Long Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 25 Jul 2025
  • Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki Back in the gym, returning to ring October 25 in Nova Scotia
    , Fri, 25 Jul 2025
  • CROCKER AND DONOVAN REMATCH FOR IBF WELTERWEIGHT CROWN AT CLEARER TWIST NATIONAL STADIUM AT WINDSOR PARK IN FIRST EVER ALL-IRISH WORLD TITLE FIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 13
    , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • Italian next for Magsayo?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • GM Daniel Quizon to defend title in Kamatyas chess rapid tiff
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OFFICIAL CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. LANI DANIELS PRESS CONFERENCE AT LITTLE CAESARS ARENA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • STACKED “NOWHERE TO RUN” UNDERCARD REVEALED! FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS REGIS “ROUGAROU” PROGRAIS AND JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ CLASH IN SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT
    , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • Golden Boy's Fantasy Springs Card Cleared for Action: All Fighters Make Weight
    , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • Bipartisan Bill Introduced in Congress to Revitalize American Boxing and Protect Fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • WBA Bantamweight World Champion Antonio Vargas Lands in Japan Ahead of Title Defense Against Daigo Higa
    , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • Boxing at Tropicana Atlantic City – Tickets On Sale for July 25 Event
    , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Icon and 8-Time World Champion Thomas Hearns Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 24 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 23 JULY 2025: Usyk KOs Dubois; Barrios-Pacquiao Ends in Draw; Fundora Stops Tszyu; Rodriguez TKOs Cafu
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 23 Jul 2025
  • Israel Landicho rules Cavite Rapid chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 23 Jul 2025
  • Marcial to focus on pros
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 23 Jul 2025
  • Antonio Vargas Travels Overseas to Defend WBA Bantamweight World Title Against Daigo Higa in Japan
    , Wed, 23 Jul 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Great Boxing Weekend All Over the World
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 22 Jul 2025
  • WBC 63rd Annual Convention and Muay Thai Convention in Bangkok, Thailand Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 22 Jul 2025
  • OLD HABITS NEVER DIE
    By Ed de la Vega, DDS, , Tue, 22 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao Sends US Boxing Scene Buzzing Again
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 22 Jul 2025
  • Hurting inside
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 22 Jul 2025
  • Shocking Incident at MaxFight 62: Fighter Bites Opponent’s Ear in Live MMA Broadcast, Prompting National Outrage and Scrutiny of Bulgarian MMA Federation
    , Tue, 22 Jul 2025
  • Immanuwel Aleem Takes on Demond NIcholson in DMV Turf War on Saturday. July 26th at The Hall in Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland
    , Mon, 21 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.