Manny Pacquiao remains a big puzzle for Oscar De La Hoya. Yes, a big one.
And the Mexican icon only has one chance to solve the mystique that surrounds the Filipino world champion, who is presently described in the boxing circle as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Pacquiao faces the bigger, heftier De La Hoya at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, seeking what could be highlight stamp in his list of achievements
De La Hoya, meanwhile, seeks to regain the prestige he once held before Pacquiao?s rise to worldwide prominence.
But at the back of his mind ? and at a time when his talent is being doubted especially when he is to face Pacquiao who is at the peak of his career, De La Hoya is also thinking about an exit strategy that would leave a mark before his fans.
De La Hoya would not want to be known as the fallen hero who lost to Pacquiao despite the big disparity in their size. And it adds much to the pressure that De La Hoya will carry when they climb the ring on Dec. 6.
The fight will be held at the welterweight limit of 147 lbs.
De La Hoya will move back from 155 lbs, the first time for the Golden Boy to fight as a welterweight since 2001; while Pacquiao adds up to his lightweight poundage (135) since his nine-round destruction of David Diaz early this year.
While Pacquiao?s camp claimed the Filipino champ is presently at 155 lbs, this will be the second time Pacquiao will muscle up for a fight since moving up for that fight against Diaz.
The challenge
Fans had seen Pacquiao beef up a number of times since starting his career at 106 lbs on his way to becoming a four-division champion. But hardly did he show signs of slowing down.
?Well, that?s the challenge,? De La Hoya admitted to doghouseboxing.com. ?He might slow down because he is gaining like 12 to 14 pounds. Or he might not. A slower Pacquiao is still a fast Manny Pacquiao.?
And to prove that a De La Hoya win won?t be due to the size mismatch is another challenge for De La Hoya. But the Golden Boy would rather play the issue down.
?Manny Pacquiao is the most popular fighter coming out of Asia,? said De La Hoya. ?I?m the most well known fighter in the world. I put two and two together; we can create a big event here. And that?s what I want, that?s what I need to get motivated. And boxing is going to win because boxing once again will be on a worldwide stage.?
?Hungry like a lion?
Being a 2-1 favorite in this match, however, makes De La Hoya think about his chances.
?The thing about being in this position, being the favorite fighter is that I?ve already been there. I?ve already done that. I know what to do to stay focused. The odds are two to one, yes? Which are close, which are very surprising. But I have to stay focused because that is going to be key to preparing myself. Because when you have a fighter like Manny Pacquiao, he knows that this is a big opportunity. He?s going to be hungry like a lion so I have to ready.?
De La Hoya, in fact, is preparing so hard, he could be taking an extra baggage come fight time, one that he claims put him on a trap.
?I strongly believe that I will (win),? De La Hoya said. ?A great athlete once told me, the day you stop learning, is the day you retire.?
Despite the big words, however, De La Hoya remains cautious when being asked about his future after this fight.
?Fight the very best. My storybook ending is not just fighting the very best but being part of mega-events. At this point in my career, I want to be able to create excitement. Just like we are doing today. Create excitement and put boxing on the map, you know? A lot of people are talking about this fight. All over the world.?
But for how much longer can De La Hoya chase this dream?
?My exit strategy is very important to me,? he said. ?I can still compete at the highest level. I haven?t been hurt except for that freaking body shot from Bernard (Hopkins). As long as I can still do this, I realize the end is near. The end is right around the corner but I can still do this, two or three more fights. I?m going to make a decision how many times I am going to fight after Manny Pacquiao. Or even if I am going to fight. If Manny beats me, then that?s it.?
?The past, the future?
Yes, De La Hoya can still remember that loss to Hopkins in 2004, making Hopkins the undisputed world middleweight champion after annexing De La Hoya?s World Boxing Organization belt to his own set from the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and the International Boxing Federation.
Perhaps, it was one of the most bitter defeats De La Hoya had suffered. And he would rather not feel the same at the hands of Pacquiao.
Yet, sideliners remain doubtful and they may have reasons to express it.
De La Hoya?s last significant fight was a split decision victory over former World No. 1 fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr. in super-welterweight superfight on May 5, 2007. He had a unanimous decision victory over Stevie Forbes soon after that.
But Forbes connected stinging punches to De La Hoya then that he was diagnosed with a
fractured orbital bone soon after the fight.
It could be among the reasons for Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach?s taunting De La Hoya ?could no longer pull the trigger.?
But really, many in the sport are asking, ?If Forbes could do that, what will Manny do??
