Pacquiao once again dominated the boxing arena as he stepped up and beat Oscar “The Golden Boy” de la Hoya in the 8th round of their “Dream Match” this December 7, 2008 at the MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas.

What happened was a reverse prediction. Americans are initially eyeing de la Hoya’s success and stating that he is a better fighter than Pacquiao. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao proved them wrong as the “Pound-for-Pound” King relenlessly showed the world his overpowering speed and balanced punching pace as he scored a tremendous technical knockout victory over him.

Pacquiao’s first two round was an exceptional showcase of what training has done to him. It was an obvious call from heaven as viewers calculated and predicted that Pacman hit at least 90 plus punches and de la Hoya with only 20 plus, a wide stat gap in rounds 5 to 8.

Referre Tony Weeks already warned de la Hoya that he will conclude the bout if the Golden Boy continues to accept punches from Pacquiao. De la Hoya’s party then stopped de la Hoya from continuing the fight, thus finishing the bout with a TKO win. Prior the fight, boxing analysts all over the world tagged de la Hoya as a heavier artillery over Pacman.  Hall of Fame Trainer Angelo  Dundee even mentioned in an interview that his bet is a much better fighter than  Manny Pacquiao.

No wonder, the outcome of the events attested once more that actions, and still actions has been and will always be speaking louder than words.

Will Dela Hoya’s credentials ensure his advantage over Pacquiao?

The Golden Boy Oscar De la Hoya already has everything: an Olympic gold, six world championships, and a seven-foot bronze statue standing in front of Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

“De la Hoya has all the bases covered,” said cornerman Angelo Dundee.Dundee also furthered that Oscar has all the answers against Manny and that being veteran on the ring, Oscar is a better fighter than Pacman.

“It’s not the size and the height that will decide the match. The thing that will decide the match is that Oscar is the better fighter,” the trainer added. Dundee has studied several of Pacquiao’s bouts and he said that he’s eyeing on Pacman’s punching trend, that is stepping first before the punch. He also said that he already saw this trend could break Pacman if he continues to do so.

Meanwhile, de la Hoya was given tribute by giving him a bronze statue of his on Monday in front of the Staples Center.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be here with a statue of me,” de la Hoya said

He became the third sports hero from Los Angeles to be given such a tribute after basketball superstar Magic Johnson and hockey king Wayne Gretzky.

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will be facing another big ordeal as he will be fighting against the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Champion David Diaz. A very persistent athlete, Pacquiao is ought to change his weight to 135 lbs. from 130 lbs. This notion would most likely dictate Pacquiao’s pace and endurance since adding more weight connote a reduction in speed. This will be another first-rate fight since both Diaz and Pacquiao have already defeated Mexican Legend Erik Morales.

Diaz’s professional record shows a superior statistic since he has already won 34 fights, which includes 17 wins by a knockout.

Pacquiao will be heading to the US to sign an agreement for the fight, which will be held on June 28, 2007.

Diaz’s formal bouts and success was mostly held in Chicago. He already won the Chicago Golden Gloves four (4) times and a grand slam in the National Golden Glove. He was also part of a former US Olympic Team where Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is affiliated too.

Having stated that, sport critics and enthusiasts will likely predict now that the chances of Manny Pacquiao in winning this next fight decreased.

The Issue:

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Anticipating Davaoeños’ excitement over the rematch of World Boxing Council international super featherweight champions Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, the Araw ng Dabaw executive committee prepares wide screens at the Quezon park and Almendras gym on the Araw ng Dabaw celebration on March 16.
Councilor Susabel Reta, vice-chairperson of the Araw ng Dabaw executive committee, told davaotoday.com that setting up wide screens will give Davaoeños and other spectators the chance to witness both the Pacquiao-Morales fight and Parada Dabawenyo — the highlight of the Araw ng Dabaw event, at the same time.

Activities in towns and cities used to come to a standstill, at times, resulting to zero crime rates, in the previous Pacquiao fights. Pacquaio’s much-anticipated fight this year happens at the time when Davao culminates its three-day 71st anniversary celebration.
The parade is set after a thanksgiving mass at the San Pedro cathedral, from seven in the morning until 12 p.m.
On March 15, there will be a trade fair and flea market or taboan at the Rizal park, where anybody can sell their goods and products the whole day, free of charge.
“Anyone can display their products at the taboan, especially those who don’t have stalls or can’t afford to rent one,” Reta urged.
The grand opening of Araw ng Dabaw is set on Friday morning, March 14 at the Rizal Park. A preview of the Museo Dabawenyo — a museum that will showcase the city’s interesting and valuable objects and historical items — is set by lunchtime. The day ends with the grand coronation of the Mutya ng Dabaw at the CAP auditorium.
“Kasaysayan Balikan, Ihanda Kinabukasan,” is the theme for this year’s Araw ng Dabaw. The event will showcase Davao as a progressing city.
“It will be a different kind of Araw ng Dabaw,” Reta assured. - Marilou M. Aguirre/davaotoday.com/03/11/2008 | 10:08 PM

The Opinion:

Would the Philippine flag’s 3 stars and a sun be enough to once again outshine others?

This is yet an imminent answer as for the conclusion of the Marquez-Pacquiao’s final bout.

For sure, the Philippine will once again unite (mockingly) for this celebrated fight. There will only one choice among the Filipino people and it’s a subjective one—Pacquiao. I have kept my eyes on Pacquiao for nearly a couple of years and I couldn’t agree less on how effective and efficient his trainings were. His trainings certainly outdated that of other fighters such as Morales and Barrera. Though I’m still in a bit of worry since the media have always kept its guard on him and the nature of Marquez’s preparations were not totally spilled, I will likely put a 70 percent of my conviction. Marquez’s may not be as famous as Morales but, as what a quote implies, firmness and right will may manage to conquer all. And I do believe in that, too.

As for Pacquiao, always maintain a steadfast view on your goal of not only lurking thyself to fame but also in giving thy country gratification.