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Philippines, 02 May 2024 |
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CLASH OF THE BOXING ICONS: 'THE DREAM MATCH' By Rod Mijares PhilBoxing.com Thu, 04 Dec 2008  The die has been cast three or four months ago. Many are of the opinions that this fight will not and should not be held and equal number said otherwise. However, on December 6, 2008 the biggest fight in the history of modern boxing will come into reality at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The protagonists are boxing icons well known not only in their respective countries but all over the world. The ?Dream Match? will surely surpass the previous great fights in intensity and excitement because of what these two icons bring to the ring. The light middleweight (150-154 lbs.) Golden Boy Oscar De la Hoya will meet the current pound for pound king, the WBC lightweight (135 lbs) champion Manny ?Pac Man? Pacquiao at 147 lbs (welterweight class). This will be an epic battle that will last a lifetime. Boxing icon Oscar De La Hoya of America with Hispanic descent captured the heart of America first as an Olympic Champion in Barcelona, Spain in 1992 and later on took the imagination of boxing fans beyond America with a superstar status with 10 world titles in 6 different weight classes and defeating 17 world champions. He captured his 10th world title by knocking Ricardo Mayorga out on May 6, 2006 for the WBC light middleweight championship before surrendering it to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. on May 5, 2007 on his first defense. His last fight was a win against Steve Forbes on May 3, 2008 at 150 lbs on a non-title bout. Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines became a boxing icon even before capturing his 4th world championship by defeating American David Diaz in their WBC lightweight (135 lbs) championship fight last June 28, 2008. Before that, he defeated three great Mexican warriors; Juan Manuel Marquez last March 15, 2008 to capture his 3rd world title as WBC super featherweight champion. He defeated Marco Antonio Barrera twice on October 6, 2007 en route to defending his WBC International super featherweight title and on November 15, 2003. He defeated Erik Morales twice on November 18, 2006 and January 21, 2006 after losing his first fight with him on March 19, 2005 but not without a controversy. De La Hoya who is 35 years of age has boxed 300 rounds in 44 fights with 39 wins (30 KO) and 5 losses (1 KO) while Pacquiao who is 29 years of age has boxed 283 rounds in 52 fights with 47 wins (35 KO), 3 losses (2 KO) and 2 draws. Pacquiao who is 5?6 ?? in height will give away 4? disadvantage to De La Hoya's 5? 10 ?? stature. Furthermore, Oscar with a 73? reach has a 6? reach advantage over Manny who has a 67? reach. De La Hoya?s pro debut was a knockout win in the first round at 133 lbs. weight class while Pacquiao?s first pro fight was a win at 106 lbs. The Dream Match will be fought at 147 lbs. where De La Hoya fought 12 times while this is the first venture for Pacquiao in an unknown territory. Pacquiao whose presence in the ring will put the Philippines at a standstill that even the notorious are glued to the TV set that crimes are expected to be almost nil. He may not be successful in running for a congressman seat but almost the whole political arm is supporting him that surely there is no political activity on fight time. There will even be an unspoken ceasefire between the military and the extremists. Expect political dignitaries, entertainers and the rich and famous from the Philippines aside from those Filipinos already in America to converge in Las Vegas and support Manny at MGM Grand Arena. Expect also that many Filipinos will be having a fiesta session or early Christmas celebration inviting their friends and relatives at their homes collectively watching the fight on HBO pay-per-view because this is one great fight that should not be missed and enjoyed together as Filipinos united in supporting their boxing icon, Manny 'Pac Man' Pacquiao. Equal numbers or maybe even more of Oscar De la Hoya's supporters will no doubt do the same of their boxing icon. Why did the chicken cross the road? There is no specific answer but various ones that maybe clever, tricky, funny or straight forward. Why did Manny and Oscar sign on The Dream Match? The computer might provide a calculated answer when all the boxing statistics of these two great fighters are entered into its brain but there is no substitute really for an actual fight that is happening live right in our time in our generation as to who is the best fighter in the world and we will see the result round by round as the fight unfolds. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rod Mijares.  |
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