TPFSports Boxing
Last year, when HBO commentator Larry Merchant first brought up the idea of Manny Pacquiao challenging Oscar De La Hoya, it seemed like a pipe dream. Due to the difference in size, it also was met with a bit of laughter on boxing message boards. Yet this Saturday, the two will be facing off at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in what is pretty much assured to be the richest prizefight of 2008.
The Weight
First and foremost, there is the size difference. When the Filipino buzz saw made his American debut in June of 2001 by upsetting Lehlohonolo Ledwaba for the IBF Super Bantamweight title, Pacquiao weighed in at 120.5 lbs. By contrast, De La Hoya fought on the same card as the main feature, winning a world title in his fifth weight class, at 154 lbs. Pacquiao has moved up through the divisions, winning titles at 126, 130, and 135 lbs. Yet that is still considerably below the weight range that De La Hoya has fought at, as the Golden Boy’s last fight was fought at 150 lbs. Pacquiao will surely be facing a much bigger and stronger fighter than he has ever faced in his 13-year, 52-fight career.
There remains the question if dropping back down to 147 lbs will compromise the performance of the 35-year old De La Hoya. He has not been this low in weight for a fight since 2001. History hasn’t always been kind to thirty-something fighters who drop back down in weight. Sugar Ray Leonard, at age 34, was given a 12-round drubbing at the hands of Terry Norris in February 1991 when he fought at his lowest weight in seven years. More recently, Roy Jones, also 34, went back down to the light-heavyweight division after winning a heavyweight title belt from John Ruiz. Following a tough, close decision win over Antonio Tarver, Jones suffered two devastating knockout defeats in 2004. It would appear from HBO’s documentary series 24/7 that De La Hoya has gotten down to this weight range fairly early to get used to being this light. But it certainly cannot be easy on the body.
The Styles
Pacquiao’s explosive style has made him a fan favorite in not only his homeland, but across the globe. The southpaw’s primary weapon is his straight left. Quick, powerful, and accurate, Pacquiao’s money punch has spelled doom for the likes of David Diaz and Marco Antonio Barrera.
Orthodox fighters often keep their right gloves on the right sides of their face, to ward off left hooks from other right-handed fighters. However, Pacquiao’s straight left comes at a different angle, and he is adept at getting the punch through the gloves of the opponent. This punch has been neutralized at times, by the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez throughout the majority of their first fight.
Marquez’s trainer, the Hall of Famer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, will be working De La Hoya’s corner for this fight. Luckily for Pacquiao, the straight left is not his only weapon. He has improved his right hook, and has a very effective body attack. His recklessness has also diminished. Given his high-octane style, his stamina is nothing short of remarkable. His weaknesses? While not a graduate of the Arturo Gatti face-first school of defense, Pac-Man is far from a defensive whiz. His balance can be shaky, especially when he leaves himself open after getting too anxious offensively. This allows for counterpunching opportunities. Whether it be through a clash of heads or clean punches, Pacquiao has also been cut on a number of occasions.
De La Hoya has often been described as a mix of styles. This may be due to the fact that he has worked with several different big name trainers in the sport, from Manny Steward, Gil Clancy to Freddie Roach (Pacquiao’s current trainer).
De La Hoya has an outstanding left hand, as his left hook has laid out foes of all sizes throughout his career, and his left jab has also been one of the best in the business.
Traditionally, left jabs are difficult to land on southpaws. Straight right hand leads are vital against southpaws, as are left hooks. However, Pacquiao has been vulnerable at times to the left jab, as Erik Morales used it to great success in his victory over Pacquiao in March 2005. Take into account that De La Hoya has roughly a 4” height advantage and a 6” reach (wingspan) advantage, and it’s not difficult to envision De La Hoya controlling the distance and pace of the fight with his jab. De La Hoya’s right hand has not been the consistent weapon that his left hand has been. He’s had fights where he barely used the right hand, but it was also an important tool in his 2002 victory over Fernando Vargas. Just how effective De La Hoya will be with his right hand is anyone’s guess.
As for the rest of his game, he’s solid in most areas. His parrying defense was much better than many expected in his defeat last year against Floyd Mayweather Jr. He maintains a strong fundamental skill set, and has a sound chin. He has suffered just one knockout defeat in his career, and that was against the larger Bernard Hopkins. His weaknesses? While not a “shot” fighter, it’s clear to see that he is not quite the same fighter he once was. His stamina has been a question mark since the late 1990s, and failed him in his defeats to Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley, and the aforementioned Mayweather.
Some have suspected that De La Hoya’s stamina problems are a product of being too tense in the ring. If De La Hoya were to take a clean shot from Pacquiao and see that it has little effect on him, will it enable him to be more relaxed in the ring, as it seemed to earlier this year when he went 12 strong rounds against Steve Forbes?
The Future
Judging by what has been said from De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, a De La Hoya win would likely be followed with a matchup in 2009 against the British superstar Ricky Hatton. Hatton would all but certainly be an underdog to De La Hoya, but it is also guaranteed to be a huge event and moneymaker. Most of De La Hoya’s fights take place in Las Vegas, but there has been talk of this matchup occurring at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
If Pacquiao beats De La Hoya, he too may face Hatton, who has been quoted as saying that he is rooting for Pacquiao to win. There is also the possibility of facing the recently retired Mayweather. While “Pretty Boy” insists that he has hung up the gloves for good, many fighters who have said the same thing have had a change of heart. Pacquiao’s trainer has said that Hatton and Mayweather are the two fights they are looking for in 2009.
w
