On this HBO Boxing Classic, six weight division world champion Oscar De La Hoya faced five division champ Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight match.
The boxing welterweight Oscar De La Hoya vs Manny Pacquiao fight video dubbed as “The Dream Match” took place last December 6, 2008 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA and aired on HBO PPV (Pay-Per-View).
Mexican-American boxer Oscar De La Hoya, “The Golden Boy”, back then had a professional record of 39 wins (30 by way of knock out, KO) and 5 losses. After suffering his fifth career loss to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in May 2007, he decided to close out his career with three fights in 2008; a tune-up bout in May then two mega bouts in September and December respectively.
He defeated Stevie Forbes in the May tune-up bout in preparation for a rematch with Mayweather but due to Floyd’s unexpected retirement, Ricky Hatton became the new potential opponent. However, Ricky rejected the offer because he felt the scheduled date was too close to his last bout.
Oscar then decided to pass on a fight in September to set the stage for a showdown against either Manny Pacquiao or Miguel Cotto, should Miguel win his fight against Antonio Margarito in July. However, Cotto was defeated by Margarito.
While Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, “Pac-Man”, back then had a professional record of 47 wins (35 by way of knock out, KO), 3 losses and 2 draws. After capturing the WBC World Lightweight title, his fifth belt in as many weight classes and being the leading pound-for-pound boxer in the world, he moved up two weight divisions as he debuted at welterweight to fight Oscar.
The De La Hoya vs Pacquiao video was a welterweight division non-title match.
The idea of having Oscar and Manny fight came from HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant talking with ESPN boxing analyst Dan Rafael. Larry then presented the idea to Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer and Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. Bob presented the idea to Manny’s Freddie Roach.
De La Hoya and Pacquiao had agreed to fight on December 6, 2008 at the welterweight limit of 147 lbs. Oscar moved down from light middleweight while Manny moved up two weight divisions from lightweight.
Although Manny came into the fight recognized as the top pound-for-pound boxer in the world, some boxing pundits have speculated that 147 pounds could be too far above his natural weight against his larger opponent therefore making him an underdog.
Proving critics wrong, Pacquiao dominated the fight using his blinding speed and unorthodox punching angles. After eight rounds, De La Hoya’s corner was forced to throw in the towel as he retired on his stool.
The fight was stopped before the start of the ninth round.
Manny Pacquiao (48-3-2) defeated Oscar De La Hoya (39-6-0) via 8th Round Referee Technical Decision (RTD).
Manny was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards before the stoppage, with two judges scoring the fight at a landslide 80-71 and one scoring it at 79-72.
After the bout trainer Freddy Roach stated, “We knew we had him after the first round. He had no legs, he was hesitant and he was shot.” Confirming Roach’s pre-fight predictions that he’d grown too old, Oscar crossed the ring to Pacquiao’s corner after the bout was stopped and told Roach, “You’re right Freddie. I don’t have it anymore.”
When asked by reporters whether he would continue fighting, De La Hoya responded, “My heart still wants to fight, that’s for sure. But when your physical doesn’t respond, what can you do? I have to be smart and make sure I think about my future plans.”
Eventually, this is his last fight as a professional boxer as De La Hoya announced his retirement from boxing last April 14, 2009.
Watch the Oscar De La Hoya vs Manny Pacquiao video replay highlights:
Philippine National Anthem, Pacquiao’s Ring Entrance and Highlights
After this, Manny fought Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009, check the Pacquiao vs Hatton video.
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