MANILA, Philippines?It?s less than a month before Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya climb the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. We?ve read the insights of the boxing experts and, unless something really unusual turns up in training, the fans have made their choices or formed their views for the ?Dream Match.?
How are the fans thinking? In a quick survey in our circle of life, the people we reached picked based on nationalism, technical understanding or a hunch. We got a rich mix of replies, no doubt reflecting the way fans everywhere are talking these days.
Here?s what our survey says:
I?m for Pacquiao, but I think De La Hoya will win.?Butch Dans, manager of Apo Hiking Society.
De La Hoya. I don?t think kaya ni Pacquiao si Golden Boy pero sayang ang malaking kita. Pacman has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Sobrang nakakahiya pag natalo si De La Hoya (De la Hoya. I don?t think Pacquiao can handle the Golden Boy but the money is good? It?s embarrassing if De La Hoya loses).?Teddy Pere?a, managing director, TEAM Advertising.
Draw! It?s all about money. No winner, no loser. Everybody happy!?Arnel Natividad, TV director.
De La Hoya will win, unfortunately. He is too tall, too long, and too big for our beloved pambansang kamao (national fist).?Rep. Robbie Puno, First District of Antipolo.
Now, here are different views from three brothers:
Pacquiao. He?s at the prime of his career. But he must attack. Kung jab-jab lang, mahihirapan siya (If he just jabs, he?s in trouble).?Dr. Jojo David, ENT specialist
From a purely boxing perspective, 50-50. From a business standpoint, Bob Arum has more reasons to have Pacquiao win. De La Hoya is old and there are no more future megafights for him.?Sunny David, businessman.
Pacquiao, if it goes the full 12 rounds because of his stamina and determination. In the early rounds, Pacquiao should be careful. A KO by De La Hoya will give him a nice retirement memory.?Bernie David, businessman.
Pacquiao, of course, Filipino tayo ?di ba (Pacquiao … we?re Filipinos, aren?t we)??Mito Pablo, sports fan.
De La Hoya by split decision. He?s just too big?Joed Tirol, History professor.
My four sons pick Pacquiao. Ako De La Hoya, nakita ko na kasi mga fights niya before (I choose De La Hoya, because I?ve seen his fights before).?Hazel D. Ancheta, PBA staff officer.
Pacquiao, ako s?yempre. A Filipino bias, kahit wala akong alam sa boxing (Pacquiao, of course? even if I don?t know boxing)!?Nanny Lim, Marketing professor.
De La Hoya bagaman at kay Pacquiao ako (De La Hoya even if I?m for Pacquiao).?Jun Balmaceda, assistant principal for student affairs, Ateneo High School.
Tough one, but I think it?s De La Hoya by decision.?Yna Pascual, assistant communications manager, Makati Shangri-la.
I just had a dream last night that De La Hoya KO?d Pacquiao in Round One. This is no joke. Now I?m pretty sure that Pacquiao will win as my grandma told me all dreams are reversed.?Pong Duca-nes, IT specialist, Imperium Technology Inc.
Oscar. Naturally bigger. Manny may have a hard time hitting or hurting De La Hoya. Even if Oscar?s older and a tad slower, his experience and right straight may be the difference. He also has a nice stinging jab and a decent left hook. ?Johnny Revilla, actor/businessman/restaurateur.
Pacquiao. Magugulat si De La Hoya sa lakas ni Manny. Mararamdaman niya ang pagkakaiba ng edad. Malamang knockout ang panalo ni Manny (Pacquiao. De La Hoya will be surprised by Manny?s power. He will feel the age difference. Most likely, Pacquiao will win by KO).?Cesar Montano, award-winning actor.
