LAS VEGAS?He promised to shock the world. And then Manny Pacquiao, the Mini-Me of boxing, went out and turned his boast into reality, taking a split, 12-round decision over the much bigger Oscar De La Hoya Saturday night at the MGM Grand.
Judge Dave Moretti had the creaking Oscar ahead at the finish, 116-114, but he was overruled by colleagues Duane Ford (116-112) and Adelaide Byrd (114-113).
There were no knockdowns and the action was sparse in the first four rounds as De La Hoya was able to use his big height and reach differential to hold the constantly charging little southpaw off.
But the tide began turning in the fifth, as Oscar?s aging legs seemed to betray him. Now when the Filipino idol cut off the ring he was able to trap his foe in corners. With De La Hoya?s usually nimble feet looking as though they were stuck in cement, Pacman jumped in and out, mixing shots to the body with occasional pokes to Oscar?s head.
Pacquiao seemed to draw energy from the partisan crowd which, despite thousands of De La Hoya supporters, was overwhelmingly pro-Pacman. Tickets sold out back on Sept. 5 when the fight was formally announced.
It was more of the same in rounds sixth through nine and now Oscar?s normally potent jab caught nothing but air as Pacman, like a whirling dervish, made the matinee idol and Olympic gold medalist miss countless punches.
In round 10, De La Hoya was bleeding around the right eye and from the nose. Pacquiao dominated that round and the next two.
In what was probably his final fight, De La Hoya made a stand in the final round. He wobbled an incoming Pacquiao with a left hook and, for a few seconds, it looked as though Megamanny would hit the canvas. But De La Hoya, as predicted by Pacman trainer Freddie Roach, could not ?pull the trigger? for a followup punch which might have given him a dramatic, come from behind KO victory.
When the frantic final round ended, the fighters embraced each other and received a lengthy standing ovation from the appreciative crowd.
There was some mild booing when the split decision was announced.
It is estimated that De La Hoya earned $40 million with Pacquaio hauling in $27 million once as the revenue sources are counted.
?I want to thank the big legend for taking this fight,? Pacquaio said. ?It was close and he had me on shaky ground in the 12th round. He?s been a great fighter and he?s a credit to our sport. I salute you, Oscar.?
?I?m, not going to cry about spilled milk,? De La Hoya said. ?It was a wonderful fight for boxing and you saw how the fans loved it. I?m leaving the fighting now to Manny and the younger guys but I will always be at ringside and around boxing as a promoter. I have nothing but love for Pacman and his fans. To all my supporters, even my detractors, I say adios and muchas gracias for a wonderful ride.?
