Mismatch of the Century: Dela Hoya vs. Pacquiao

[Big Dog Striker]

Last night's boxing main event between Oscar " Golden Boy " Dela Hoya and Manny " Pacman " Pacquiao was dubbed to be the Dream Match of the Century. After getting its economy hit badly, Las Vegas had the 3E's once again which was excitement, energy, and entertainment. Only for a night though. Unfortunately, when the opening bell sounded the match turned out to be the Mismatch of the Century.

After the first round, you already knew Oscar Dela Hoya was only there to collect a multi-million dollar paycheck. He was totally shot and had no legs. Nothing near the Golden Boy of 10 years ago. I don't think he even won a single round in the bout until throwing in the towel after the 8th round.

However, it was really a Dream Match for the promoters of the fight. MGM was sold out with a crowd of 15,000. Pay-per-view made a big killing. One of the most perfect demographics to have in boxing, having a Latino and Filipino fighter battling it out in the main event which is by the way the fastest growing populations in the West Coast especially Nevada. The sportsbooks also had a big heyday last night.

I just hope they don't promote another circus like this again before someone gets hurt. This is one of the reasons why the UFC keeps on gaining popularity worldwide as well.

Kudos to Manny Pacquiao for being the greatest and most exciting fighter in the planet right now. He really keeps on getting better every year from the time I used to watch him at the Staples Centre in Downtown LA. What I truly like about him is that despite of all his wealth, he still decided to go to back to school and finish his High School. He goes to school with five bodyguards though. He believes that there are no shortcuts in life and education plays a vital role in our lives.

 

[Inamorato]

Pacquiao is a class act.

I would have loved to see these two square off 3 or 4 years ago, but as you said, Oscar is just cashing in on his reputation at this point. Hopefully he will just hang 'em up, but as long as the promoters are making millions off of him, we will likely see him again and again...

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

Is there any place i can watch the fight from lastnight for free online?

 

[Inamorato]

Why does Boxing allow this.

Final numbers are not in yet, but they estimated $30-80 million in Pay-Per-Vew sales.

That's why.

Sadly the consumer is being cheated. I will certainly never pay for a boxing card on PPV again.

 

[liveforthefunk]

That was an embarassing fight. I watched it on TV, but my dad was there live and he said there was a look of shame on all the De la Hoya fans. It was just a disgusting fight. De La Hoya did not fight back AT ALL.

I would like to see Mayweather Jr come out of retirement and tear Pacman a new asshole though. I never did like pacman much.

 

[Postal99]

Time to Retire Golden Boy

What an embarassment. The only thing that wasn't embarassing was the paycheque Oscar made on this one. The undercards were horrible as well. I feel bad that my buddy ordered this one on PPV. Time to bow out Oscar. There were some great battles he's fought but i don't want to see his ass kicked again like that......

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

Why would he bow out? If he can command so much money for fighting.

What an embarassment. The only thing that wasn't embarassing was the paycheque Oscar made on this one. The undercards were horrible as well. I feel bad that my buddy ordered this one on PPV. Time to bow out Oscar. There were some great battles he's fought but i don't want to see his ass kicked again like that......

 

[LoveEmAll]

Pacquaio is a Class Act

Yes, was a bit sad to watch DLH get beaten so badly but fuck if I'm not feeling sorry for the guy. That fight was stopped at absolutely the best time. He was warned at the end of the 7th to fight back. And they stopped it at the end of the 8th.

Also, DLH made more dough in that 24 minutes than most guys make in their whole lives!! Good for him! He won his last bout too, so nobody thought that this was a gimme for Pacman. Indeed, DLH was favored because of the size advantage everyone thought that he'd have.

But DLH came into the ring at only 147 lbs - lighter than Pacman! That's the bigger question mark for me. DLH should have made the scales at 147 then bulked to 160- like everyone thought he would. Then he might have had SOME power to respond to Pacquaio's speed. But DLH didn't even hurt Pacman, not even once. Pacman's lead straight left was bank!

Pacman, IMO, is a class act. No big mouth showboating, just went in and did his job. After the fight, he was very respectful towards DLH.

The fight that I'd love to see now is Mayweather (Mr. Showboat) come out of retirement and fight Pacman. That would become one of the biggest paydays in the last few years, I bet.

 

[Qtip]

De La Hoya had 22 million reasons to fight. This guy doesn't need to fight anymore but like most old boxers they get greedy. Isn't Holyfield making a comeback?

 

[FunSugarDaddy]

I watch a lot of boxing and I have a theory as to why ODH lost. It has to do with an older fighter trying to go down in weight and fight at a lower class. This didn't work for Jones, it didn't work for Chris Byrd, and now it didn't work for ODH. Once your body has adjusted to being at a higher weight, and assuming it's not fat, it doesn't adjust well going back down.

 

[LoveEmAll]

Age and Weight

I watch a lot of boxing and I have a theory as to why ODH lost. It has to do with an older fighter trying to go down in weight and fight at a lower class. This didn't work for Jones, it didn't work for Chris Byrd, and now it didn't work for ODH. Once your body has adjusted to being at a higher weight, and assuming it's not fat, it doesn't adjust well going back down.

Interesting theory. I also see AGE affecting a fighter's speed (which brings power) and timing. Indeed, these attributes seem to dissipate quickly for professional athletes. Seen that with so many greats in their mid to late 30s (not only fighting but other sports too).

Heard one hockey star (Gretz I think) say that timing was the first thing to go. Shit once that goes, it makes it very tough to keep up with your opponent. Oscar had absolutely no freakin' timing whatsoever on Sat. Jones too, sad to see him without timing. His countering skills were a sight to be seen in his day.

 

[FunSugarDaddy]

DLH is interesting in the sense that he's basically lost all of his legacy fights
(Trinidad, Mosley, Hopkins, Mayweather, Pac)

and yet has made more money in boxing than any fighter ever has..with the possible exception of Tyson who went bankrupt and is probably going to make more money as a promoter than the did in boxing.

 

[LoveEmAll]

Oscar and Big Fights

Agree, to me he is a bit overrated in the history books. Pretty Boy benefited from being personable, handsome and no a bad fighter. And to his credit he has been maybe the smartest fighter with managing his career and his millions. One of few boxers who may not go broke after his career is done.

 

[oldnwrinkled1]

Is there any place i can watch the fight from lastnight for free online?

will this do?

http://ballhype.com/video/oscar_de_la_hoya_vs_manny_pacquiao_full_fight/

 

[Big Dog Striker]

Why does Boxing allow this.
Oscar is done. He was great up until 5 years ago.
Holyfield is going in the ring again as well? Why???
These guys are done.
Like the UFC claims - "Boxing is Dead".

I would have to agree.

Being past his prime its really sad to see a great fighter like Holyfield come back to the ring to save his palatial property from being foreclosed and himself from going to jail for his unpaid financial obligations.

His 54,000 square foot palace with 109 rooms and 17 bathrooms is on the auction block.

Although not as broke as Mike Tyson ( $ 35 Million in debt ), I still feel bad seeing this happen to a gentleman fighter who was also a class act during his heydays.

 

[Big Dog Striker]

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao

Just as planned, Floyd Mayweather Jr., the former pound-for-pound king, is back from retirement to fight Pacman Manny Pacquiao with his father Floyd Sr. at his corner. Another 20 million reasons to get back to the ring.

PPV revenues from last Saturday's mismatch was US$ 70 Million with 1.25 million subscribers. A promotional coup that cut through all market segments and demographics. This proves two things: boxing is still alive and kicking and there are creative ways of making money in a bad economy.

The upcoming fight between the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world will surely be another blockbuster in 2009, I just hope its not a mismatch.

 

[FunSugarDaddy]

Although not as broke as Mike Tyson ( $ 35 Million in debt ), I still feel bad seeing this happen to a gentleman fighter who was also a class act during his heydays.

A warrior, beyond doubt, but I'm not sure about him being a class act. He almost certainly took steriods during his career and I believe he has about 9 children or so, with multiple woman. I believe some were even fathered while married to other woman at the time. If I'm correct, he's not exactly the religous pious individual he portrays himself to be.

And on a completely unrelated topic, I'm very much looking forward to the PBF - Pac match up, sort of our modern day Duran - Leonard, that is if it happens, it's by no means confirmed yet.

 

[niteowl]

Pacquiao did what most of us only dream or fantasize about and that's beating up your boss. Oh sure 'Stonecold' Steve Austin did it in WWE but that was just entertainment, Pac-Man did it for real. Everyone knows De La Hoya took the for only for a big check. He got what 85% of the purse?