Filipina Soul

With Lower Manhattan in the background, Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao pose during a press conference on Liberty Island in New York City

Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya have embarked on a six-city tour to promote their showdown in December, which is being billed as the year’s biggest boxing match. The fight will be on December 6, 2008 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The first stop on the promo tour was New York City. In the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, Pacquiao and De La Hoya officially announced their “Dream Match” showdown last Wednesday, October 1, 2008. Scores of Filipinos were on-hand to give Pacquaio support.

The media blitz continued on to Chicago, Houston, San Antonio and San Francisco. The last segment of the tour will be on October 7, 2008 at the Whittier Boulevard Arch in Los Angeles, California (source).

“Manny Pacquiao is considered the best fighter in boxing today and I always want to fight the best,” comments De La Hoya. “I am glad we were able to make this fight happen because while Pacquiao is at the pinnacle of his success and has defeated all of the top fighters he has faced, I am going to show the world that it stops with me. December 6 can’t get here soon enough.”

“This is my greatest challenge,” said Pacquiao. “When I take that walk to the ring to fight Oscar, I will carry all the people of The Philippines - the entire country - on my shoulders. I promise I will fight with all of my heart and that I will give everything I have. Like my trainer Freddie Roach says, I have what it takes to win the biggest fight of my life.”

Manny Pacquaio, who stands at 5-foot-6-inches is the reigning WBC lightweight (135 lb) champion. De La Hoya is a full 4 inches taller, and has 10 titles in six divisions, including the WBO middleweight (160 lb) championship. The 12-round non-title fight in December is capped at l47 pounds. It is likely to be De La Hoya’s last fight before retirement.

via Wikipedia; image used with permission from Newscom