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Philippines, 24 May 2025 |
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DE LA HOYA-PACQUIAO: FIGHT OF THE AGES? By Hermie Rivera PhilBoxing.com Sat, 30 Aug 2008  The heading is apt I guess owing to the disparity in their ages. Before I bare what I know of the Oscar de la Hoya--Manny Pacquiao brawl, allow me to extend kudos to those who made the December 6 ring date an intriguing reality. A huge chunk of credit must be given to my Boston buddy Freddie Roach for a fistic coup that's certain to stay in the record books for a long, long time. It's incomodiously difficult to top what he has done in making the superstars fight. The drive for Manny Pacquiao to skip two two weight categories to battle Oscar de la Hoya started when Roach was iced by the Golden Boy after his loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. As most know by now, Freddie was handed Oscar's reins to prepare him 'while the world awaited' -- pocketing his first million dollar paycheck plus a hefty bonus if he gets past PBFloyd. It did'nt happen, says Roach as de la Hoya got jobbed by two of the judges and Floyd Mayweather Sr. got his job back. There was this threat too by Oscar to chll it after he's done with Manny. He has since strummed an off-key note after agreeing to a cut in his ducats just so Pacquiao signs the contract. Sensing he'll have difficulty making another mega-split of the pie, say, against the likes of Humberto Soto, Edwin Valero, Nate Campbell, Joan Guzman and the others waiting in the wings (with the exception of Ricky Hatton,) the two-time trainer of the year moved adroitly to punch fast. A way for the Boston strangler to bounce back big was to nag Manny into accepting the original split in the (70-30) purse with no talent fee if his Manny loses to the aging East L.A. mauler. Now that's what the Godfather calls an offer no sane pug will refuse. 'Absolutely no pay if Manny loses" insisted Freddie. "Di' pwede kung walang dagdag" says Manny. Translation: No way to mail in the stats if no one sweetens the pot. Oscar de la Hoya and his golden gang acquiesced--- thus a fascinating bout that will send those against it deeper into the hard-booze section of cheap bars.. Know why a non-bettor like Irish Freddie is betting the port where they had tea including his fat commision for the brawl that will end all brawls? Roach has felt in their sessions how Oscar has slowed down in sparring drills and even slower when punching the mitts These mainly and then some, topped by Oscar's inability to execute Roach's suggested leads in his fight with Mayweather.. Now comes the argument that both sides must compromise with Pacquiao's slice jacked up a bit and de la Hoya's huge take trimmed. Lo and behold, Oscar and his golden horde agreed and Manny's salivating posse rejoiced. So that's where we are and for that, I'll have to obligate you guys with a round of our favorite brew (San Miguel beer) when next we meet. Until then, keep on frigging punchin'. Top image courtesy of a Pacland forum member. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Hermie Rivera.  |
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