Pacquiao VS. Dela Hoya

The inevitable is a now a sure thing. No amount of uncertainty nor stumbling blocks to hurdle will stop the fight from happening. Oscar dela Hoya agreed to fight Manny Pacquaio on December 6, 2008 at MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

The sure winners are the boxing fans worldwide who will be treated to a giga fight that is unprecedented and of epic proportion in the history of boxing. This is the grandeur that is Las Vegas with Dela Hoya and Pacquiao at the helm.

Thanks largely to Oscar dela Hoya who thought nothing but to give back to the very people that brought him fame and success, the boxing fans, who clamor and who wanted this fight to happen. Not to mention the fat financial gain this fight will provide to both fighters, Oscar has nothing to gain but to fight for his pride and show that he still has the skills and the speed he previously showcased when he won his last fight with Steve Forbes who by all counts was also a former super featherweight champion before fighting in the welterweight division. Also, in the process, to stamp in Freddie Roach’s face that he could defeat Manny Pacquiao and put a lie to Roach contention that Oscar can't pull the trigger or Manny Pacquiao, the fighter he trained, can beat Oscar.

A lot of excitements and a lot of talks, rumors and speculations in the boxing world from the echelon brass to the lowly boxing fans were generated when the news first came out that the camps of the two greatest boxers were talking of putting a mega mega boxing event of this magnitude. Whatever things or said between the two camps, boxing fans, simply wanted the fight to materialize.

Both fighters possess two things that other boxers envy. They both have great skills that boxing aficionados love and appreciate and most importantly, they have that "charisma" that attracts boxing fans to them, follow them, and be a part of all their fights win or loss. In other words, they have that unseen bond and unexplained relationship between fighters and fans only they can provide.

Who could ever thought that Oscar dela Hoya from United States of America with Mexican descent, an Olympic champion in Barcelona, Spain in 1992 and Ring Magazine’s 1995 "Fighter of the Year" and also their top-rated Pound for Pound fighter in the world in 1997 and has defeated seventeen world champions and has won ten world titles in six different weight divisions and Manny Pacquiao, the pride of the Philippines and owner of 4 world championships under his belt will clash at 147 pounds, both using eight-ounce gloves and the fight will be sanctioned by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Pacquiao should be honored that Oscar dela Hoya agreed to fight him over those who would be dying to fight dela Hoya. To just step in the ring with the great Oscar dela Hoya is already a big achievement. Much more to fight him and treat you as equal and with utmost respect will be an unforgettable experience. As Pacquiao said at a 2:00 a.m. conference call interview ( Manila time) which was 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 28, 2008, "When I started my boxing career, I'd never think this fight would happen. This is the (focus) of my boxing career, because this is a visit from God. A blessing. I think this is my (destiny)."

Oscar, on the other hand, who wanted to exit with a bang, has chosen one of the best warriors of today in Manny Pacquio and the best pound for pound boxer in the world today and whose countrymen totally support him to the core.

The fight come December 6 will surely generate an array of excitement, hope and suspense in each round. Where fans will be swept on their feet, their fingers clawed to their chairs and their breath hanging by the thread on each punch thrown, hit their marks or loss in the air. For both of them are no backers. They will move forward at each other like two opposing tanks backing only with the full force or weight of the punch that each one will throw or receive.

Boxing fans can now sigh with relief. The tune has been set. Come December 6, be at MGM Grand Casino or order HBO pay-per-view as the greatest boxing of all time, the giga fight in Las Vegas is about to happen. Be a part of dela Hoya, be a part of Pacquiao and be a part of history unfolding in your very eyes.

Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao's next big test inside the ring will be against Oscar De La Hoya, but before he takes on boxing's most popular figure, the four-division champion faces the challenge of co-promoting his first boxing show with Sycuan Ringside Promotions on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 at Sycuan Resort and Casino in San Diego, Calif..

"I love the San Diego area," said Pacquiao, who's promotional company is titled Manny Pacquiao Promotions (MPP). "Before I won my title against David Diaz, I spent several hours touring San Diego after one of our press conferences. I can honestly say it is the most beautiful city in America."

"Sycuan Ringside Promotions is extremely excited to be partnering with Manny in his first boxing promotion," said Scott Woodworth, vice president of Sycuan Ringside Promotions. "You can only do this once and we're happy to be a part of it. We've lined up an exciting card with an exciting twist."

Tickets for the outdoor venue are on sale now. Tickets are priced at $250, $150, $75 and $50. You can purchase online at www.sycuan.com, via phone at (619) 659-3380 or in person at the Sycuan box office.

The memorable night of boxing features Mexican boxers against Filipinos with the main event pitting Bernabe Concepcion against Giovanni Caro in a ten-round super bantamweight bout that begins at 7:30 p.m. PT, televised by Azteca America.

Concepcion, who is promoted by Pacquiao, is 26-1 with 15 knockouts while Caro is the Mexican 122-pound champion with a record of 11-4-4 with 9 knockouts.

Pacquiao, who is training in Los Angeles under long-time trainer Freddie Roach, will be seated ringside to watch all the action as it unfolds.

Other Pacquiao-backed boxers include junior welterweight Dennis Laurente (29-3, 15 KOs) fighting against Arturo Urena (20-15, 12 KOs) and lightweight Aaron Melgarejo (11-6-1, 3 KOs) competing against Alain Hernandez (12-5-2, 7 KOs).

Willie Tucker, vice president of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, said Pacquiao's presence is a highlight of his five-year-old promotional company.

"Dealing with Manny and his organization has been a real honor," Tucker said. "He is a class act, and he handles the best Filipino fighters. We are fortunate to have thousands of Filipino-American customers in Southern California. We're expecting ticket demand to be extremely high for this event."


JESUS CHAVEZ, HYLON WILLIAMS AND JERMELL CHARLO ROUND OUT SEPTEMBER 6TH UNDERCARD

Before hometown heroes Juan Diaz and Rocky Juarez take to the HBO airwaves on "Houston Super Fight Night" set for Saturday, September 6th for pivotal showdowns against Michael Katsidis and Jorge Barrios respectively, fans at Houston's Toyota Center will be treated to an even bigger array of Texas' finest, as Former World Champion Jesus "El Matador" Chavez and top prospects Hylon Williams and Jermell Charlo plan on showing their opponents that when it comes to boxing, you don't mess with Texas.

In a ten round lightweight contest, Chavez battles hard-hitting Colombian Andres Ledesma. Also at 135 pounds, unbeaten Williams takes on Jesse Ortiz in a six rounder and in a welterweight four rounder, Charlo will look to keep his unbeaten record intact against Rodrigo Villareal.

Adding to the Lone Star State theme will be none other than Natalie Foreman, daughter of heavyweight legend George Foreman and the star of the hit television series Family Foreman, who will be singing the National Anthem on fight night.

The former WBC World Junior Lightweight Champion, Austin, Texas' Jesus Chavez (43-4, 29 KOs) has battled through more adversity in and out of the ring than most people will ever see, but he has still emerged as a true gentleman and one of the top fighters in the world. Sidelined for over a year due to a knee injury, Chavez returned to the ring in April with a hard-fought decision win over Daniel Jimenez and on September 6th he will undoubtedly be raring to go as he fights in Texas for the first time since his title-winning effort over Sirimongkol Singwancha in 2003. In Arjona, Colombia's Andres Ledesma (14-10-1, 9 KOs), he will not only be facing a seasoned battler with knockout power, but one who issued highly-touted prospect Gary Stark Jr. his first pro loss via knockout in May of 2007, making him a tough test for "El Matador".

Houston's own Hylon Williams (3-0, 1 KO) has transitioned smoothly to the pros from an amateur career that saw him win a number of titles, including the National Golden Gloves, the Junior Olympics, the PAL championship and the Silver Gloves. Unbeaten in three bouts, the 18-year old has yet to lose a round in the pro ranks and he has been training tirelessly to keep his string of perfection going against San Antonio's Jesse Ortiz (4-9-2, 2 KOs) in a six round lightweight bout. In addition to training for his September 6th bout, Williams began classes at Houston Community College on August 25th, following in the footsteps of stablemate Diaz, who went back to school at the University of Houston this week in the midst of training.

Like Williams, Houston's Jermell Charlo (3-0, 2 KOs) dazzled fight fans as an amateur, winning a Bronze medal at the 2005 Junior Olympics at just 15 years old and ending his amateur career with a stellar 56-8 slate. In December of last year, Charlo turned pro with a near shutout win over Corey Sommerville, but his next two opponents didn't make it to the final bell. On September 6th, the 18-year old prodigy looks for win number four against Houston's Rodrigo Villareal (1-1) in a four round welterweight battle.

In other undercard action at the Toyota Center, 8-0 (5 KOs) junior lightweight up and comer Elizar Renteria of Houston squares off against Laredo's Olvin Mejia (3-2-1, 3 KOs) in a junior lightweight four round contest; Houston's Crystal Delgado (6-0, 1 KO) risks her unbeaten record against Louisville's Katlyn Dance (2-2) in a four round showdown; undefeated junior middleweights Lanard Lane (3-0, 2 KOs) of Houston and Quinton Whitaker (5-2, 4 KOs) of San Antonio collide in a four round bout; and Houston junior middleweight Roque Moreno makes his pro debut against Victoria's Jesus Villareal (2-5-1, 1 KO) in a four round matchup.

Tickets for "Houston Super Fight Night" - Diaz vs. Katsidis and Juarez vs. Barrios, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, are on sale and available for purchase, at the Toyota Center Box Office, online at www.ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX and select Houston area Randalls locations.

"Houston Super Fight Night" - the doubleheader featuring Diaz vs. Katsidis, in a scheduled 12 round IBO Lightweight Championship bout as the main attraction and Juarez vs. Barrios, in a 12 round WBO Latino Junior Lightweight co-feature bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, Amigo Energy and Dewalt Tools with Diaz vs. Katsidis being presented in association with Northeast Promotions. The bouts will air live on HBO's Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET / PT, 9:15 p.m. CT. Doors for the evening's event will open at 6:00 p.m. with a first fight time of 6:05 p.m.

Oscar Dela Hoya

One thing for sure. “The Golden Boy” Oscar De a Hoya is not taking his December 6 showdown with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao lightly despite some boxing writers who insist he is too big and too strong and would demolish the little guy from the Philippines.

De La Hoya’s close boyhood friend and Golden Boy Promotions vice president Eric Gomez said in an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Manila Standard and Viva Sports that “Oscar is already training.”He said De La Hoya set up a pre-camp in Puerto Rico and “started running and doing light exercises but he will start his boxing camp in Big Bear in October.”

Gomez expressed confidence that De La Hoya would make the stipulated 147 pound limit for the Pacquiao fight saying “ that’s something a lot of people don’t know about Oscar.” Gomez revealed that De La Hoya had “to build himself up to fight at 154 pounds and he used to eat a lot of proteins and stuff to get up in weight. He never used to diet. He ate whatever he wanted. “

Gomez said that now its just “a matter of dieting and eating the right food to make the weight.” He said De La Hoya was with him in Los Angeles last week and weighed in at 153 “without even starting boxing. That’s his natural weight. He won’t have a problem making the weight. He’ll be fine.”

Gomez said De La Hoya “is a consummate professional and he knows what he has to do. He is a veteran and he knows that it’s very important for him to be well within his weight.” Gomez said De La Hoya laughed off the imposition by Team Pacquiao of a fine of $3 million for every pound or fraction thereof over the 147 limit. He said “make it $5 million it doesn’t matter. He is going to make the weight.”