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DE LA HOYA-PACQUIAO: FIGHT OF THE CENTURY? By Hermie Rivera PhilBoxing.com Tue, 22 Jul 2008   SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- With the lesser lights out of the running in the Manny Pacquiao derby, the Philippines? ring icon makes a giant move to cement his future by jumping over two weight divisions to take on Oscar de la Hoya in a welterweight brawl. A contract is to be signed after the Coto/Margarito title clash in Las Vegas where Bob Arum and Oscar de la Hoya are expected to complete details of a year-ending fight, once belittled as a fantasy-clash of boxing money-makers. The December 6 blockbuster if realized, will test Pacquiao?s toughness as well as de la Hoya?s resolve to win a huge one, coming at a time he is ending his lifelong romance with the Sweet Science. The question of the hour is whether Oscar can adjust with ease going down in weight or if Manny can go up with his power and speed intact in a thriller of two ring hotshots. Both their handlers are emphatic Oscar can bring his weight to 147 pounds while Manny can meet the required limit with ease as well. However, I find it inexplicable why his promoters are fast-tracking the Pinoy marvel to complete a 3-fight calendar with the Golden Boy?s adios fight rather than working out a deal for a gigantic paycheck with the ever-colorful Ricky Hatton. Can anyone justify the imposition of such a matchup, one that smacks of an outright edge in height, weight and heft for Oscar? A veteran who?s marvelously gifted as a slugging boxer? Manny will have to outdo his past ring ?spectaculars? to survive a bigger and stronger welterweight belter in Oscar. Not that he can?t do it. It?s such a giant leap from 135 to 147lbs. Not at this time. Delicado? Sure, his handlers are insisting the Pacman can beat the lone six-division champ with an Olympic gold medal to boot. It will take quite a doing for the Filipino icon to pull this one out of the fire, if ever. And who among his posse are putting the pressure on Pacquiao?s promoters to produce quickly such an uneven pairing? Are we talking here of a pile of greens the certified warriors are likely to rake in? More money for Pacquiao? Not really since he has a lot stashed away already. For Oscar? Nah. The ultra-rich East Los Angeleno has earned a bundle which he can?t dispose of in his lifetime. Maybe in the life hereafter assuming he invests some in infrastructures such as the Golden Gate (gay) bridge? In today?s declining market of the once lucrative sport of professional boxing, Manny Pacquiao is playing by his own rules in a time of his choosing. So far he?s had his way with the proven greats in the light flyweight division where he started, up to his current lightweight throne. Can he bulldoze his way and beat a heavy favorite in Oscar? Can a fattened but sweet punchin? lightweight defy the odds and beat the Golden Oscar? One thing that's clear as day bells The loser will get the brunt of a harsh retribution but richer by 20 million U.S. dollars in freshly-minted Franklin?s?plus a huge take in pay per view orders. Pretty heavy huh? Now, if Manny asks for my two cents worth of advice, I?d offer a slight change on priority: Hatton goes first and then -- a wee-bit late -- de la Hoya. Two giant birds kayoed with scintillating hooks and mind-numbing straights? Mindboggling. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Hermie Rivera.  |
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