OSCAR A PROPHET?
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 09 Dec 2008
Las Vegas, NV. Last night while hanging out at the Lounge Bar of the Mandalay Bay
Hotel just outside the Rum Jungle club where the Pacquiao supporters were celebrating the Filipino spitfire?s great win over Oscar de la Hoya, I run into Jeng Gacal, Pacquiao?s legal adviser.
Of course the first order of business was to try to squeeze a ?balato? from him as we in the know knows that he won quite a sum from the bookies with the Pacquiao victory.
To our disappointment however, all we got was lip service. No ?balato? of any kind, particularly the green kind. But, that?s okay by us. At least we tried.
But still we congratulated him for being a part of the Pacquiao Team for everyone, down to the lowly runners for whatever errands needed, deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.
Gacal and my group got to a small conversation leading to the events that transpired earlier that evening.
?You know,? Jeng told us, ?De La Hoya is a prophet.?
When asked to elaborate, he related some of the events that led to Pacquiao signing that now ?infamous contract? with the Oscar de la Hoya Promotions.
According to Gacal, de la Hoya told Pacquiao, as he handed the suitcase of cash to him to entice him to sign a contract with his company, the following: - ?Manny, I am going to make you a legend.?
De la Hoya was of course referring to what his company can do for the career of Pacquiao if they manage it for him. They were prepared to book him great fights that could lead to the ?legend? status. By now of course we all know what happened to that contract let alone, Pacquiao?s status as a boxer.
?Ironically, de la Hoya was right,? continued Gacal. ?That?s why I say De la Hoya is a prophet. Tonight he made Pacquiao a legend. Unfortunately, it was not through his promotions company but by quitting on the stool midway through the fight?, he said further.
Pacquiao?s stunning victory which many said will not happen indeed will make Pacquiao a legend in world boxing, or at least in the history of Philippine boxing. No Filipino has done what he had and given our present crop of boxers, it will be a very long time before it will happen again. I hope however, I am wrong.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Catterall vs Eubank: Jack’s Experience Gap Too Wide?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 05 Jul 2025Morelle McCane Advances to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Sat, 05 Jul 2025WEIGHTS FROM MANCHESTER: CATTERALL - 146.5 LBS., EUBANK - 146.5 LBS.
Sat, 05 Jul 2025Vincent Astrolabio in LA training alongside Manny Pacquiao
By Ace Freeman, Sat, 05 Jul 2025Jason Sanchez Upsets Previously Undefeated Julian Gonzalez in Philly
Sat, 05 Jul 2025Meatball Launches Boxing Career With Matchroom
Sat, 05 Jul 2025The Queens of Philippine Boxing are Training in Cebu
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Raising the Game: Jean Henri Lhuillier’s Unmatched Impact on Philippine Tennis
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025GM Eugene Torre to grace the Asenso Ozamis Open Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
Fri, 04 Jul 2025International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Fri, 04 Jul 2025