LAS VEGAS ? The city of sin is in a buzz with anticipation for what many have preordained as boxing?s fight of the year. On Dec. 6 Filipino fighter and pound-for-pound king Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao is slated to clash heads with the sports biggest name, Oscar ?Golden Boy? De La Hoya, in a blockbuster bout to ?save? the sport of boxing. However, with leagues of fans in both corners flocking to Las Vegas? MGM Grand Garden Arena for a mere glance at the fighter?s conference weigh-in, there seems to be no need for the sport to be ?saved? in any way, shape or form.
San Diego native and die hard Pacquiao fan Josh Riturban took the five-hour drive from Los Angeles to watch his favorite boxer compete in the biggest fight of his life. ?I?m here to support Manny and my Philippine culture because Manny represents how our people can rise above anything.? He added ?I know Manny will win ? he has the speed and power to do it. Manny all the way!
Long time Pacman fan Justin Torres sees the fight as an event that will go down in history: ?They are fighters everyone wants to watch. Manny Pacquiao is the best boxer in the sport and De La Hoya is the biggest name; it?s like watching the Superbowl.? While Torres has been a fervent Pacquiao fan throughout the years, he is a bit skeptical towards Pacquiao?s chances against a taller De La Hoya. ?Even though they are the same weight, De La Hoya is naturally bigger, with a height and length advantage.? He added, ?It is a long shot that Pacquiao will win, I think De La Hoya will win by unanimous decision.?
Months leading up to the showdown now branded as ?The Dream Match,? tempers have flared from both sides. Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach questioned De La Hoya?s ability to ?pull the trigger,? saying, ?He lacks confidence. He loses sight of the game plan.? Roach, De La Hoya?s former trainer, also commented on Oscar?s lack of stamina, saying that he would fade out in later rounds, allowing Pacquiao to knock him out.
In addition to the verbal attack against De La Hoya, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum announced that big name Mexican fighters such as Antonio Margarito and Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. had thrown their support into Pacquiao?s corner, calling them ?Mexicans for Pacquiao.? In an interview with ESPN, Margarito went as far as to sarcastically scorn De La Hoya?s reputation saying, ?He?s getting brave with a great fighter, but a fighter who fights at 135 pounds. He wants to show the world that he can pull the trigger against a 135-pounder. What a man! What a hero!?
Although many of these Mexican fighters have been promoted by Arum, branding it another marketing ploy by Top Rank, Oscar struck back saying that the Mexicans in Pacquiao?s corner ?were not the idols he looked up to when he was little.? In an interview with ABS-CBN, Oscar announced that he had gained the support of legendary Mexican fighters that he respected as a child such as Ruben Olivares, Pipino Cuevas, Chiquita Gonzalez and Finito Lopez. Moreover, De La Hoya?s trainer Nacho Beristain went on the record describing that Roach?s comments towards his fighter were unprofessional.
While many analysts favor the taller and trimmed-down De La Hoya, there is still a large fan base backing Pacquiao and his attempt to breakthrough as boxing?s new main attraction. As a nearly two-to-one underdog, Pacquiao faces his greatest fight to date, and although some of his fans may be cynical towards his chances, that hasn?t stopped them from supporting him, as Torres says ?Even though I think De La Hoya is going to win, I?m still putting my money on Pacquiao because he is the man!?
Odd Makers/Breakers and Shakers!
For the gambling swine out there, the odds have the potential to make a risk taker somewhat happier come Sunday morning: Pacquiao win by K.O. Rounds 1-3 45/1 Rounds 4-6 40/1 Rounds 7-8 30/1 Rounds 9-10 25/1 Rounds 11-12 20/1 De La Hoya win by K.O. Rounds 1-3 20/1 Rounds 4-6 15/1 Rounds 7-8 12/1 Rounds 9-11 10/1 Round 12 12/1 Pacquiao win by decision 3/1 Pacquiao win by knockout 13/2 De La Hoya win by decision EVEN De La Hoya win by knockout 6/5 12 ROUND DRAW 18/1 Those are the odds! A type of political punchers poll if you will, with Election Day coming up tomorrow! So put your Money Where Your Mouth Is and let us know who you think will win. Leave your prediction below, and the winner will get a free thumbs-up and pat on the behind from yours truly!
