Filipina Soul

It’s not called the Dream Match for nothing.

The December 6 welterweight match between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya is advertised as the “event that transcends the sport.” The Boxing Herald weighs calls it the one fight to watch in our lifetime.

image used with permission by Newscom

“The best pound-for-pound fighter in the world versus boxing’s biggest star. Two eras, two careers, one moment. The dream match!” The two fighters embarked on a ‘pleasant’ transcontinental tour to promote their fight.

But behind the amicable pose is an “unmistakable resentment” says The Los Angeles Times, over unresolved promotional issues (which ended up in a litigation).

Only Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s coach, seems to have the gall to stir the waters. He called de la Hoya “too old” for Pacquiao, and questioned whether the 35-year old Mexican fighter can still ‘pull the trigger’.

“I know his strengths and his weakness and the question is, ‘Can he still pull the trigger?’ I don’t know, we will find out.” That comment for under the skin of de la Hoya’s coach Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain who called Roach’s comments inappropriate. So to make light of the moment, Roach brought a malfunctioning toy gun to the Los Angeles promo. You think de la Hoya found that funny? Read again.

Pacquiao also adds that this fight is not a mismatch. “Some people are criticizing Oscar for picking on a small guy like me. Some are saying I’m taking the fight for the money. But on December 6, I will prove all the critics wrong.”

But the weight of this fight does not escape him, either. For this fight, Pacquiao’s life in one the line. The boxer told the crowd of Filipinos, Americans and Mexicans gathered, “”Asahan ninyo na sa akin, kahit buhay ko, itataya ko para sa karangalan ng ating bansa.” (You can bet on me, while I am alive, I will put my life on the line in my country’s honor.)

The fight will be at the MGM Casino Resort at Las Vegas on December 6.

Comments Off