It has been billed as David Vs. Goliath.
If you own a bible, a look at first Samuel, Chapter 17 will give you the background.
Goliath was a fierce warrior and champion of the Philistines. David accepts the challenge of Goliath, and armed with his sling and five stones he manages to defeat Goliath and cut off his head with his own sword.
Oscar De La Hoya is the undisputed champion and Goliath of PPV buys. His fight against Mayweather Jr. set the record, generating a reported 134.4 million dollars.
Manny is the David of this battle, champion of his country, and a virtual one man sports franchise in the Philippines. Although considered to be number one pound for pound on many lists, Manny has yet to become a ppv star-YET.
On December 6th, the two will meet at a catchweight, with no official titles on the line, in what will no doubt be the biggest boxing attraction in recent memory.
I asked the top boxing writers on Bleacher Report their thoughts on this matchup, and here is what they had to say:
Nicholas Sowemimo wrote:
This superfight is a classic big man vs little man contest, in more ways that you may think. Yes, Oscar, who has most recently fought at Super Welterweight, but has in the past gone up as high as Middleweight, is larger in stature than his younger Filipino opponent, who is the current ring champion at Super Featherweight, but has fought as low as Flyweight earlier in his career.
However, in terms of form, the much-lauded Manny Pacquiao is undoubtedly the big guy in this bout—after losing his WBO Flyweight belt to Medgoen Singurat all the way back in 1999, in his 24 fights since Pac-Man has amazingly lost only once—to the great Érik Morales, a loss which he went on to viciously avenge on two occasions.
In comparision, De La Hoya has been mostly dormant as of late, fighting only six times in the past five years, and losing half of those bouts. Despite the fact that the "Golden Boy" is at his best when riled up or up against a challenge, I expect Pacquiao to be too swift to Oscar to land his heavier hands.
When I first heard this fight proposed, I was quite against it, and although I'm still not convinced about the ethics of the situation, I will be watching with interest along with the rest of the boxing world. My verdict: Pac-Man to affirm his status as Mr Pound-for-Pound, taking this one on a split decision.
Elmer Crisostomo wrote:
It's going to be another David-Goliath fight. De la Hoya may be the logical choice to win easily because of his overwhelming height, reach and weight advantages among others. But Manny Pacquiao has the speed, two-fisted punching power, the heart to win, and most importantly, he knows that he has nothing to lose and everything to gain in this epic battle.
Freddie Roach claim that Oscar can't pull the trigger anymore may not be true specially now that Dela Hoya made that as one of his motivations in accepting the fight where he has almost nothing to gain (except lots of money, of course). He'll definitely pull the trigger but he won't hit the target. And just like the David-Goliath fight, David wins in the end. So, it's Pacman gobbling the Golden Boy by 11th round stoppage.
David Reyes wrote:
Although I’ll be pulling for Pacquiao, because this is clearly a business venture to maximize profits for De La Hoya’s own benefit, the objectivity (and common sense) tells me to go with De La Hoya.
De La Hoya is disguising his reasoning for choosing Pacquiao as an opponent as his desire to “wanting to fight the best,” his claim is garbage and unacceptable, because he fought the best…and lost. So really, he’s fighting the interim best—and that’s no disrespect to Pacquiao, but it is what it is. He’s choosing Pacquiao because of the unprecedented size advantage and frankly, he knows he can beat him.
But before I go on ranting further, De La Hoya wins by knockout if they brawl, decision if he boxes smart.
We’ve seen 5’6” Pacquiao lose, and lose convincingly and he’s been a victim of a knockout lost to opponents his size. It’s cliché, but true: Pacquiao has never fought someone the size of De La Hoya, with only one fight at 135, the jump to 147 when his opponent will come into the ring at 160 maybe, is unprecedented and almost absurd.
It’s not even wholly about whether or not DLH can “still pull the trigger or not,” because stylistically and strategically both, Pacquiao is going to brawl because he’s going to need to get inside to hit “The Golden Boy.” Pacquiao’s reach is 67”, De La Hoya, 73” and while that’s not the biggest difference, it definitely gives DLH some room to operate, and although Pacquiao will press the action, even if he doesn’t want to—he has to, how much of a true Middleweight’s punch can Pacquiao take?
Pacquiao will use his speed and footwork, and with Mayweather Sr. in his corner, DLH will use his jab and straight right a lot more. But the intangibles will sink the Filipino icon, his desire to get in there and brawl, it wouldn’t be smart (especially if you’re placing a wager) to get all caught up in the Pac-Man hype, we shouldn’t expect a masterful boxing performance from him against De La Hoya—he’s no Floyd Mayweather Jr. And De La Hoya knows that all too well.
Carlo Miguel Narboneta wrote:
The fight will start slowly as both fighters try to feel each other out. De La Hoya will throw the first bomb of the fight as he tries to bully Pacquaio with his size advantage. Pacquaio will be unable to use his right hooks and will instead throw lots of straight left hands.
Pacquaio will attack from the outside and stick close to avoid counter shots. De La Hoya will tire out in the later rounds from Pacquaio's continued attack. In the end, both fighters will be bruised up with De La Hoya the worse for wear. Pacquaio wins a split decision in a slow and boring fight.
Yours Truly wrote:
I expect Pacquaio to win the early rounds based on speed and movement. However, Pacquaio is no defensive wizard, and at some point De La Hoya is gonna catch him with something, and that is gonna be the key to the fight. If De La Hoya hurts Pacquaio, that changes the complexion of the fight entirely. I will go with De La Hoya by decision or late stoppage.
Verdict
It seems opinions are split on this matchup, at least amongst our writers. What do you think? Is Pacman's speed and heart too much for De La Hoya? Or will De La Hoya's vaunted left hook seal the deal on the smaller man?
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about 1 month ago
Sorry I didn't contribute to this! Next time...
Anyway, much as I want to pick for my boy Manny, I can't do it. I don't think there's any question he'll have the quicker hands, and it may take a few rounds for the Golden Boy to adjust to his speed. But will Pacman be able to hurt Oscar when he touches him? I have my doubts. Almost every boxer who goes up in weight eventually runs into a level where their power is drastically reduced, and I'm thinking that will be the case for Manny at 147.
In addition, Bryan hit it on the head when he said Pacquiao is no defensive wizard (though he is much improved from earlier in his career). If he was, that might change things, because he might be able to just dart in and out and harass De La Hoya by beating him to the punch. But he'll be there to be hit, and Oscar's huge size advantage will probably be telling.
So even though I'll be pulling for Manny to pull this off, I can't pick him. I'm thinking Oscar by KO late, or by fairly easy decision thanks to a couple of knockdowns.
from about 1 month ago
good job Nick, I agree entirely. I think people are putting too much stock into Manny's speed. It's almost as if they don't think De La Hoya will even touch him.
about 1 month ago
This mismatch should not take place. It goes against the very basic premise of boxing where fights are by weight class. Manny and Oscar are significantly from different divisions. It is simply pure greed about money on the part of the principals, promoters and boxing bodies that this event is to take place.
I am a boxing fan but will not watch this on ppv.
from about 1 month ago
I cannot fault you for feeling this way Bud, but you might miss the biggest boxing event of the year. I am ok with this matchup, even though I realize its a gimmick. If I thought Manny had no chance to win, I would share your feelings. But hey, Oscar is 35, and has lost a step.
about 1 month ago
I remember when people had rumoured about the Paquiao/Morales III fight. They said "Morales is gonna knock Paquiao out, loss in a split decision. Specially that Morales father came back to train Erik in the mountain of Mexico. Same thing I heard against Marquez that Pacquiao will lose this fight, and again with Diaz, but what happened? Paquiao knocked all this bigger guys clean. I understand that Paquiao will have to gain at least 4-5 kilos. I mean really you dont loss speed and power for gaining that much, if anything your punch will be alot stronger. It also depends how you put on that extra kilos, what training you do to balance weight gained with speed and power. As an experience street fighter, I had take on three times bigger opponent than me, I got hit pretty darn hard but it did'nt knock me out and I actually won at the end. Sure We may not be a trained boxer, but a fight is a fight like the old saying goes " It's not the size of a dog in a fight, it's the size of the fight in D dog.
from about 1 month ago
well Jojo, Oscar is not simply bigger, he is a former Olympic gold medalist. If he lands a left hook on Manny flush at any point during this fight, we may see a spectacular ko. Granted Manny is still in his physical prime and Oscar is slightly past his, but I think their advantages will cancel each other out to make this fight "fair" if it can even be labeled as so.
about 1 month ago
I go with you man. Gaining weight does not mean you will shake off all power punches but instead it becomes more powerful. About the speed, it really depends on the training - on how you push yourself to maintain it. Manny has proved several times that he can gain weight and keep his speed at the same time. Oscar is not easy to take down. But I know for a fact that Manny has a chance over him.
from about 1 month ago
Of course Manny has a chance. I'm in no way suggesting Oscar is gonna steamroll him. Now if this was about five years ago I think Oscar would have easily dispatched Manny in five or six rounds. However in his last fight Oscar proved he is more hittable than ever, and he took more shots than I thought he would from Forbes.
Manny can win, but only by decision. There is zero possibility of Manny knocking Oscar out. I have seen nothing in Oscar's entire career that would suggest Manny could stop him. His only ko loss came to Bernard Hopkins at 160. It was a body shot, from a man who was much bigger than him. For Manny to win he needs to stick and move, all night long.
about 1 month ago
i'm jjj
i'm a filipino. and i've been watching all manny's fights...but i'm really worried for this match, it could be a mismatch...yes, manny has to do extra to win this fight...each fighter has his own style...it's all about timing in their techniques... no matter how fast or quick a fighter is...it's all about timing to knock his opponent out...we'll see what we'll see...thanks for having read all your comments...
from about 1 month ago
well Jonathan, even if Manny gets knocked out, as long as he puts up a good fight no one should fault him that much. He would have lost to a guy that has fought as high as 160. As long as Manny doesn't take a pounding he will be fine no matter the outcome.
about 1 month ago
hello everybody, listen to my words, Manny will fall in the fourth round, and this will be definitive, and maybe with a dangerous head damage.
Remember this.
from about 1 month ago
well Juanito, I wonder what you base this claim on? I would have loved for you to explain in a little more depth.
about 1 month ago
I don't think oscar is really that much bigger than pacquiao physically to justify a "sheer size" prediction. we have seen fights with 8 inches, 30 pounds, or more, difference between the competing fighters (both in boxing and mixed martial arts), but which still remain competitive, that is, bigger man does not invariably win and the smaller does not man invariably lose. Sheer size don't win fight. But rather, it is the skill of the fighters that almost invariably determines the result of the fight.
As to the knockout aspect, i think oscar might get knocked out if he is hit with the same volume of punches that hit diaz, though, i don't see it coming. again it boils down to the fighter's skill of dodging punches rather that the sheer size of his chin or skull (for oscar's chin or skull could not be much bigger nor thicker nor harder that diaz'). i said i don't see it coming because i still believe oscar is much more skilled that diaz.
My prediction: unanimous decision in favor of pacquiao, via a second half battery. Or, oscar via knock out before the second half, if he can throw two left hooks in succession at 3 seconds interval. oscar's body punches and right hand won't be a factor.
from about 1 month ago
Well for one Joesph, De La Hoya is and will be considerably larger than Manny for this matchup. Second, I really don't get the notion that De La Hoya will be knocked out by Manny. Oscar has always shown a great chin, against much harder and bigger punchers than Pacquaio. Only way Pacquaio wins this fight is by decision, and you can take that to the bank.
from 1 day ago
i tottaly agree w/. you on that joseph in this kind of battle size don't really matter. wat matter is how the person is trained,physical and mentally.i think it's been wat more than 2 or 3 yrs since oscar haven't win ne matches in the ring. thats why he has to come down to manny's divisions so oscar can win a fight.i will laugh at oscar face if manny win this batlle.if manny can fight like mayweather jr .. then manny have a chance. oscar has been into manny battle. in a long run that'll catch up to him.human's body wear out during a long period of time,and manny will show it to you that night. manny proves you that oscar is not in a good shape as he was in his prime yrs. even thou manny win by a decision. still a win.thats all wat counts.this your time manny. goodluck. by 3ds
about 1 month ago
we all knew that DLH really had the advantage but i dont agree that pacman cant beat him, i had the experience fighting with taller guys and we are both fighter still i manage to beat him with my skill and prescense of mind, thou he's really taller than me. if pacman uses his speed and agility i know DLH will be defeated by split dec.
from about 1 month ago
I stated that I think if Manny will win, it will be by decision. People that think that he will ko De La Hoya are fooling themselves, or simply drinking the PacMan kool aid.
28 days ago
i think it will be a great fight with manny winning a unanimous decision because oscar will fade out starting in the 7th RD..manny will be knock down in the 3rd rd but will come back strong in the 2nd half of the fight..
from 28 days ago
that is a possibility. We will have to see. I need to see what the guys look like in training before i make an official pick for this one.
24 days ago
I will give credit to MP for his determination to win for his beloved country. I think it is a noble thing, anyway, prior to the match, i have a good feeling that it would be a great fight. Not only it is a dream fight everybody want to see, because there's still hypocrites there that always saying they do not want to see that fight, they would miss that once in a lifetime match. I believe MP can win the fight, he and his trainer is confident with that, the only mismatch i see on the fight was the reach and height advantage of DLH, other than that, i think they where equal. The trainer would contribute big on this fight specially on MP team. They both have the power to knocked each other down, their skills, guts, and will to win will be the key to win the fight. Maybe i will go back again to this post after the fight to see the reaction of each and everyone here.
from 23 days ago
I certainly hope you do come back, as I will have plenty of coverage available.
14 days ago
Oscar brutal TKO in middle or late rounds.
Oscar can do it early but he doesn't want the fans to think this fight is a mismatch therefore concluding a fraud fight that's why he'll take it easy early on. In fact, I think he'll make himself looked like he's being beaten by Pacman in the early rounds as he'll take some punches from Pacman. Oscar will get serious in the middle rounds and starts battering HEAVY punches to the Pacman and from then on, the length of the rounds for Manny to survive depends on how tough his chin is......but I'll doubt it'll last long.
11 days ago
I can't believe no one is stating the absolute obvious. DeLaHoya's 4" inch reach, and power will be the difference Pacquiao has never faced. Both Barrera, and Marquez stunned him(Pacquiao) momentarily. History shows it via the fact that Ray Leonard, beat Hagler was simply because Leonard was wise enough to choose the right times to produce combinations, and land because he was a skilled boxer. Pacquiao, if he chooses to brawl, (which is the case when an opponent lands a big punch) will find that DeLaHoya even with age, still possesses masterful counter punching skills.Pacquiao is no boxer.Yes, he has speed, and a great left, for the lower weights. The fact is Pacquiao is biting off more than he can chew, because his jaw will certainly feel what a middleweight's punch feels like. Can he take the right cross, probably. If Delahoya works the body, the head will surely fall. History is against Manny, because Genetically, he is not a natural Welterweight.
4 days ago
I can say pretty much will only go for pro's and cons right now, a comparison between two unbelievable fighter and two of the best in their division but PACQUIAO overgone more than 15 lbs and believe it he did win it over and over with rematch to the other and revenge from another, no one ever done that in the history of boxing or maybe they are some legends that did. PAKYAWAN NA ANG LABAN ....PAC MAN knows how to do that mentally and physically
1 day ago
They'll both be fighting within the 145lbs range so that technically should have them match up mass-wise. I think Manny can win the fight if he can hurt DLH early. Based on what the training tapes show, he's still as fast as ever even as he has bulked his body up. The famous six packs are still there - so body fat is in check. That means he won't be slowed down by the increase in weight. DLH, will definitely use his length advantage by throwing jabs all night. If MP starts going in, I expect DLH to come ugly by holding on to MP (making the fight really boring). MP can take down DLH not with a head shot but with a powerful body shot much like what Hopkins did to him - I think MP has the power to do that. DLH will recover but should slow down considerably, giving MP the opportunity to win this via unanimous.
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