By John F. McKenna (McJack)
The former “Golden Boy” of boxing turned promoter, Oscar De La Hoya shared his thoughts about the upcoming war between WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquaio (53-3-2, 38 KO’s) and WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KO’s) when he visited the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood on Monday. Pacquiao and Marquez will square off on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas for the 3rd fight in their Trilogy.
Former multi division champion De La Hoya knows of what he speaks when discussing Manny Pacquiao. After all, Oscar’s been there and done that. His credentials as a top notch fighter and having fought Pacquiao, carries extra weight.
De La Hoya was quoted in the Philippine Daily Inquirer saying:
“Manny is on a whole different level. Manny has been fighting the likes of Shane Mosley, myself and Miguel Cotto. Marquez has been fighting ordinary fighters. That could be the difference.”
Oscar had stopped by the Wild Card to check on Amir Khan who is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. Khan is training at the Wild Card for his upcoming fight in December with Lamont Peterson.
When De La Hoya fought “Pacman” in Decebmer 2008 many boxing observers thought it would be a mismatch in Oscar’s favor. Oscar it was thought was too big and strong for Manny. After all, Pacquiao had fought at just 130 pounds just 9 months prior to the De La Hoya fight. Things however did not go as Oscar had planned. In one of his most brilliant fights Pacquiao totally annihilated De La Hoya, hitting him at will with stunning rapid fire combinations from every angle. Oscar could not cope with Manny’s speed and like Shane Mosley 2 ½ years later De La Hoya was shocked at Manny’s power. Oscar retired on his stool after the 8th round, unable to continue.
In his match against De La Hoya, Manny landed 195 of the 333 power punches he threw, for a remarkable 59 % ratio while Oscar landed just 51 of 164 power punches thrown for a 31 % ratio.
Oscar does not believe that Marquez at 38 will be able to compete on an equal level with the Philippine dynamo who at 33, is in his prime. De La Hoya further believes that the weight Marquez has put on in the lead up to his showdown with Pacquiao may actually work against him because he added the weight too quickly and hasn’t given his body enough time to adjust.
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