SPORTS SHORTS 28: OSCAR DE LA HOYA WANTS PACQUIAO VS. GARCIA TO HAPPEN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 18 Jan 2021
Oscar De La Hoya says he wants to arrange the fight between Ryan Garcia and Manny Pacquiao late 2021 or early next year. The Golden Boy Promotions CEO, De La Hoya calls the Pacquiao vs. Garcia fight as a “changing of the guard.” It was viewed by many that the young 22-year-old KingRy Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs), the WBC interim lightweight champion, will surge to great heights as a boxing superstar if he beats Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs), similar to how Floyd Mayweather Jr and Pacman became prominent champions after they beat De La Hoya himself.
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Garcia has 8.2 million Instagram followers and a Hollywood actor image, potentials that could propel him to fame and fortune in boxing. But a victory over Pacquiao at the year's end would make his rise faster because of the senator's celebrity status. De La Hoya envisages Ryan as a star with the looks of Brad Pitt and Elvis Presley combined.
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Garcia concedes that an encounter with WBA welterweight champion Pacquiao is a dream fight. Even at 42-years-old, the Filipino sports icon is still considered one of the biggest stars in boxing. "That's the dream. Manny is a legend and it would be like surpassing him in the humblest way. I don't want this to sound like I'm being disrespectful, Manny knows my respect for him," Garcia told ES News. "People love him because he fights with his heart. You don't even have to tell people to respect him, because more than one entire country supports him."
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Garcia and Pacquiao are two divisions away from each other, but they are considered of the same size because Pacquiao is regarded as a small welterweight. In 2008, Pacquiao made a leap from lightweight to welterweight and scored an upset knockout against Oscar De La Hoya earning him stardom in boxing. Garcia is expected to follow suit, jump to junior welterweight and in due course to welterweight.
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In an interview with the Rich Eishen Show, Garcia politely request Pacquiao to turn over the torch to him. “Manny is that inspiration that makes you a legend. He has lost but eight weight class champion? That’s what you call a legend,” said Garcia who wants to fight first WBA "regular" lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, then Pacquiao.
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“That’s why I feel like maybe after Gervonta, hopefully, this is out of respect and this is not calling him out I don’t want people to think I’m calling him out that’s stupid,” said KingRy who is 20-years younger than Pacman. “I’m just saying, ‘can we share the ring together and please pass the torch to me.’”
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Stanley Pringle is awarded the PBA Best Player of the Conference, the first time in his career, after he led Barangay Ginebra to the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup title. It is the only conference contested in the league's 45th season due to the covid-19 pandemic. The veteran Gin Kings guard averaged 18.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.0 steal per game in 22 games. "I think all the players were deserving. Just being nominated for me was a blessing," said the ecstatic Pringle during the virtual awarding ceremony on Sunday.
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Pringle is automatically included in the "Elite Five" in place of the Mythical Five in this one-conference season. The other members are Phoenix Super LPG's Matthew Wright and Calvin Abueva, another Ginebra standout Japeth Aguilar, and TNT Tropang Giga center Poy Erram. Meralco Bolts' Aaron Black, son of Meralco head coach Norman Black, was named as Outstanding Rookie.
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Ginebra's Prince Caperal was awarded the Most Improved Player. Completing the four player awardees for Ginebra is Scottie Thompson, who got the Sportsmanship Award. The criteria in choosing the winners of the individual awards include statistical points, votes from fellow players, media personnel, and the PBA office.
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The James Harden era in Brooklyn has just started, and the 2018 NBA MVP collected 32 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds to score a triple-double in his debut with the Nets, as they prevailed 122-115 over the Orlando Magic. Kevin Durant who seemed satisfied playing with his current and former Oklahoma teammate, topscored with 42 points. The Nets' Big 3 is still lacking as Kyrie Irving is taking a rest from the team for personal reasons.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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