After heavy speculation, the deal has been finalised, The “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya will take on the “Pac-Man” Manny Pacquiao on December 6th, in Las Vegas at the  MGM Grand live on HBO PPV. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds, and will be a non-title fight. 

The deal could of been scheduled weeks ago had it not been for hang-ups on how the purse was to be divided. Pacquiao was looking for 40% of the purse, while De La Hoya was offering around 30%. It is rumored that the two met somewhere in the middle. The fight itself is anticipated to easily gross over the 100 million dollar mark.

The fight will take place at the Welterweight division (147 pounds). Although Pacquiao has won his last seven fights, and won belts in five different weight classes, he has never fought above the 135 pound mark. Meanwhile, this fight is expected to be De La Hoya’s last pro fight, but as we all know retirement in boxing can change on a daily basis, but De La Hoya seems to want to put the retirement talks behind him at least for now.

In a statement released through his lawyer, Pacquiao said: “This will be the toughest test in my boxing career because of the reach and height advantage of my esteemed opponent, aside from his great boxing skills.This fight, however, will not be a walk in the park for Oscar De La Hoya. The boxing fans will see the same fire and intensity they have witnessed in my previous fights. 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.”

Meanwhile De La Hoya promises to be back in full form. “Manny Pacquiao is considered the best fighter in boxing today, and I always want to fight the best,” said 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. I have to find a way to increase my speed, We’re three months away, and we have to figure out quick how we’re going to neutralize him. It’s going to be an explosive fight. We’re going to fight in the center of the ring.”

This could easily be the most anticipated fight in a long time, as it pegs the current boxing PPV king, vs. arguably the most talented pound for pound fighter in the sport. 

Can Pacquiao make a successful jump to 147 pounds? 

Can De La Hoya still contend with top fighters in the sport?

How much of an impact will De La Hoya’s reach advantage play?

And is this a fight that YOU are looking forward too? 

Dan Legroulx
danlegroulx@gmail.com

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Tags: Boxing, Dan Legroulx, De La Hoya, DE LA HOYA PACQUIAO, HBO, Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, Pacquiao