THE DREAM MATCH: CAN PACQUIAO DO A DURAN?
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 14 Oct 2008
Several months ago, the Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao fight seemed impossible. De la Hoya has not fought in the 135-pound category for more than 12 years. And Golden Boy is bigger at 5-10 1/2, four inches taller than Pacquiao, who stands at 5-6 1/2 and started his boxing career at 107 pounds. Adding the fact that The Pacman fought at 135 pounds for the first time only in March.
A fast, naturally smaller fighter considered as boxing's best pound-for-pound in the world, Pacquiao held world titles in five divisions. After knocking out David Diaz in June for the WBC lightweight title, he has to increase 12 pounds to face the world?s richest boxer in what was perceived to be as the biggest pay-per-view draw in the sport's history.
?The Dream Match? as the fight is being called, will transcend all barriers in boxing including division titles and alphabet world organization rules. The date is December 6, 2008 at Las Vegas' MGM Grand. It has a big chance of breaking the PPV record earned by Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s triumph over De La Hoya in May 2007.
To win against the heftier de la Hoya, Pacquiao has to do a Roberto Duran, who began his career as a lightweight and had garnered a 71-1 pro record and considered one of the greatest lightweights of all time, moved up to 147 pounds to bestow Sugar Ray Leonard his first loss in 1980.
Duran eventually soared seven more pounds to junior middleweight to knockout Davey Moore for a title and capped his surge with a win over Iran Barkley, scoring a knockdown in the 11th round, to win the world middleweight title in 1989 at age 37. And six years earlier, Duran within one point almost dethroned the greatest middleweight of all time Marvelous Marvin Hagler for the world middleweight title.
But Duran was lethargic and not keen in some fights while Pacquiao has been consistent. One very significant motivation is Pacquiao is still in his prime mentally and physically and he has maintained the speed and stamina which credited him as one of boxing?s most exciting attraction.
But Pacquiao?s skill is still untested at this weight and against a huge opponent with a world class talent. De la Hoya was elegant against Mayweather, controlling the clever foe by using his stinging jabs to counteract his opponent's hustle. But De La Hoya's declining stamina slowed him in the later rounds as he got outpunched by Pretty Boy.
"I think I can beat De La Hoya," Pacquiao said. "I'm faster and stronger than him, and I'm younger. I can beat him in the way I beat Diaz in my last fight. My speed is going to be effective in this fight."
"I do have to change my style around. I do have to adjust to his speed," said De La Hoya. "I know he's a strong fighter, and I have to figure out a way to pull the trigger. I have to find a way to increase my speed. I have quite a task in front of me. We have to figure out quick how we're going to neutralize him. It's going to be an explosive fight. My pride, and Manny's pride."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Weights From ‘Vazquez vs. Lugo’ Event from College Park Center in Arlington, TX, & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
Fri, 05 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS JOSH PADLEY AND AQIB FIAZ FACE OFF
Fri, 05 Jun 2026“I would not say Yoka is more dangerous.” Murat Gassiev's coach Kadushin on boxer's training camp
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Homecoming for super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia to be showcased June 20 on Kingsley Ibeh vs. Dante Stone card in Phoenix
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Amateur Standout Kayla "The Truth" Gomez Set for Professional Debut on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Tancontian to lead PH team in Sambo Asia-Oceania
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Clarion to fight for WBC Youth World super flyweight title in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Knicks Steal Game 1 in San Antonio 105-95
By Reylan Loberternos, Thu, 04 Jun 2026LAMONT “THE REAPER” ROACH JR. AND WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO BATTLE FOR THE WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, 04 Jun 2026Ramirez vs. Richards - Weigh In Results
Thu, 04 Jun 2026Louisville and Boxing World commemorated 10th Anniversary of Muhammad Ali death
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 04 Jun 2026Sampson Lewkowicz: Boxing’s Picasso
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Wed, 03 Jun 2026BARRY HEARN OBE TO FUND 10 BRAND NEW APPRENTICESHIP ROLES THANKS TO MATCHROOM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND COACH CORE
Wed, 03 Jun 2026Olongapo to host National Age Group Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 03 Jun 2026