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Philippines, 17 May 2024 |
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PACUIAO VOWS TO PROVE HIS CRITICS WRONG By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Fri, 03 Oct 2008 In a highly successful launch of the dramatic ?Dream Match? at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 6th, Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao who faces ?The Golden Boy? Oscar De La Hoya, vowed to prove his critics who claimed it was a mismatch and that he was taking the fight only for the money, dead wrong. Pacquiao?s lawyer Franklin ?Jeng? Gacal told www.insidesports.ph, Manila Standard and Viva Sports that Pacquiao was ?applauded several times during his remarks when he told fight fans who had gathered at the Statue of Liberty that ?the fire and intensity fans loved and enjoyed will be doubled? against De La Hoya. Gacal said that Pacquiao effectively answered critics such as Congressman Rufus Rodriguez who branded the fight a mismatch and cited the height, reach and size advantage of De La Hoya and claimed that he would ?kill the smaller Pacquiao.? Gacal quoted the world?s most exciting fighter and recognized No.1 in the pound-for-pound rankings as saying ?people should not be deceived by the height and reach advantage of Oscar because the prayers and support of the Filipinos will give him more inspiration and determination.? Gacal said Pacquiao was warmly received by the fans with Filipinos out-numbering Mexicans. Pacquiao stressed that the showdown with De La Hoya would be ?a great fight.? De La Hoya echoed the same sentiments saying it would be a good fight and an exciting one but according to Gacal, De La Hoya speaking in Spanish ?predicted a knockout.? The formal launch was carried out against the backdrop of the historic and imposing Statue of Liberty in New York. During the press conference De La Hoya announced that the battle with Pacquiao will not be his last leading some people to speculate that De La Hoya may be leaving options open for a rematch if he loses or it turns out to be a close and exciting fight. De La Hoya said "there's no doubt about it. My mind can still do it, my body can still do it. I'm going to ride the wave for a little while." The December 6 clash between the ten-time world champion and Olypic gold medalist and the four-division world champion Pacquiao regarded as the all-time greatest fighter out of Asia had an amazing kickoff when tickets went on sale and were sold out in a couple of hours. The gate receipts of $17 million make it the second highest grossing fight in boxing history, second only to "The World Awaits" between De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. With the economic turmoil in the US showing signs of abating hopes are high that the pay-per-view buys will top the two million mark which would all mean that in the end the devastating southpaw from poor beginnings in General Santos City would earn a cool $20 million. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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