MG Sports Talk

Photo by Chris Cazzone

Story by Aaron Covey

Las Vegas, NV - Tonight, the biggest active name in boxing takes on the sport’s pound-for-pound kingpin when Oscar De La Hoya (39-5, 30KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (47-3, 35KOs), square off at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. As we learned from the Pavlik-Hopkins bout, styles make fights and it is clear that styles will play a major role in tonight’s matchup. On the surface, this fight appears to be a classic big man vs. little man showdown. Strength vs. Speed. Toughness vs. Endurance. In many ways this is true. 

Manny Pacquaio started his career at 107 pounds in 1995 and he’s listed at 5’6” though many think that is a generous measurement. He’s fought only once at 135 against David Diaz (who fights on tonight’s under-card) this past June and won that bout with a TKO in the ninth round. Now he’s fighting at 147 pounds and he’s fighting Oscar De La Hoya.  

Meanwhile, Oscar has fought as high as the middleweight limit of 160 pounds, is listed at 5’ 10 1/2″ and he started his career at 134 pounds. He hasn’t fought at the welterweight limit since 2001 when he knocked out Arturo Gatti in the fifth round.  

Pacman is the type of fighter who comes out immediately throwing large volumes of punches. Typically, his volume holds steady through the final bell. Meanwhile, Oscar has good power in his left jab and hook.  

The questions are: Will Oscar be able to establish his rhythm and fight his fight? Or will Pacman fluster Oscar early and back the Golden Boy into a trap?  

It’s possible this fight could end in a knockout. I believe that hinges on what Oscar De La Hoya shows up tonight. If De La Hoya can’t knock Manny out in the first 7 rounds, expect him to be in for a long night assuming the added weight doesn’t force Pacman to run out of gas more quickly than usual.  

Here are my keys to judging this fight:

• Will Pacman’s punch volume be rewarded or will the judges credit Oscar for landing harder (but fewer) shots?

• Will Manny overwhelm Oscar with volume thus stifling the Golden Boy and preventing him from finding his rhythm?

• Will Oscar have power at the 147 lbs. limit and knock Pacman out?

• Manny packed power along with his volume in the lower weight classes. Will that power travel up to 147?

• Will Manny’s volume consist of clean, effective punches or predominantly blocked shots?                                                                                                                                                                                     

Have fun tonight, and enjoy what promises to be a great fight!!!

Cov’s prediction: Pacquiao by unanimous decision.

| This entry was posted on Saturday, December 6th, 2008 at 5:01 pm and is filed under Cov's Corner, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.