Speed, heart spelled victory for Manny

Filipino ring hero Manny Pacquiao continued to validate his status as the world's top pound-for-pound boxer when he defied the odds in knocking out boxing icon Oscar "Golden Boy" De La Hoya in their welterweight Dream Match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

There was no knockdown but a relentless Pacquiao gave De La Hoya all he could handle, before the "Golden Boy" called it quits at the end of the eighth round, prompting referee Tony Weeks to declare the Filipino the winner by technical knockout.

In facing boxing's acknowledged icon, Pacquiao had to move up two weight divisions -- from lightweight to welterweight. He gave up four inches in height and six inches in reach, massive numbers for even the most skilled boxer to overcome.

But the Filipino icon leaned on his speed, all-action style and brilliant ring movement to score the upset in what was billed as the fight of the year.

"I think I did well tonight," Pacquiao said. "I controlled the fight. We worked on my speed in the gym and I think that was the key in this fight. Thank you God for giving me the strength. I don't think he would last long. I was still careful even though I was in control."

The stoppage came after a late flurry from Pacquiao in the eighth round, where De La Hoya started to show some signs of life after getting overwhelmed in the first eight rounds. At the time of the stoppage, the Inquirer had Pacquiao ahead, 80-72, winning all the rounds.

Pacquiao got off to a solid start, dumbfounding De La Hoya with his ring movement and sneaking his pet left, snapping the Mexican-American's head several times.

By the time De La Hoya utilized his vaunted left jab in the third round, Pacquiao was already firmly in control.

De La Hoya comes alive in the fourth round, but Pacquiao came up with a whirlwind finish to steal the round. De La Hoya lands a solid right to Pacquiao's face early in the round, his first big punch of the match.

Pacquiao shifted into high gear in the seventh, unleashing a run of combinations which staggers De La Hoya, sending the Golden Boy on the ropes for most of the round. De La Hoya manages to stay on his feet, though. But he refused to take further punishment, throwing in the towel at the end of the eighth round.

The 29-year-old Filipino, who won his ninth fight in a row and improved to 20-1 since 1999, his lone loss a 2005 decision to Mexican Erik Morales. He hiked his record to 48 wins, including 35 knockouts, three losses and two draws.

"He's just a great fighter," the 35-year-old De La Hoya conceded. "He fought a tremendous fight. He was the better fighter and he deserves this win. I give him all the credit all the world."

Despite his impressive victory, though, Pacquiao still holds De La Hoya, the sport's icon, in high esteem.

"You're still my idol," Pacquiao told De La Hoya.

Posted by : Cedelf Tupas

Pacquiao beats De La Hoya

Manny Pacquiao defied the odds when he defeated Oscar De La Hoya in the welterweight duel at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. De La Hoya refused to come out of his corner after the eighth round, forcing referee Tony Weeks to declare Pacquiao the winner by TKO

Posted by : Cedelf P. Tupas

Round 8: Another strong finish for Manny

Manny Pacquiao unleashes a flurry that has De La Hoya on the ropes in the last 10 seconds. The punches from Oscar De La Hoya are still far and few in between. De La Hoya manages to sneak in a few punches but it lacks the sting. Pacquiao, in contrast, has been connecting at will.

Posted by : Cedelf P. Tupas

Round 7: Manny staggers Oscar

Manny Pacquiao shifts into high gear unleashing a run of combinations which staggers De La Hoya, leaving the Golden Boy on the ropes for most of the round. De La Hoya manages to stay on his feet, though.

Posted by : Cedelf P. Tupas

Round 6: De La Hoya's eye swollen

There is some swelling on top of De La Hoya's left eye at the end of Round 6. Pacquiao's left cross is still working wonders for him as De La Hoya has left himself open everytime he unleashes an attack.

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Round 5: Manny still in control

Manny Pacquiao showed he can engage Oscar De La Hoya in a phone-booth slugfest. From close range, he connects on a solid left near the end of the round. De La Hoya lands some shots to the body midway in the round that hardly bothers Pacquiao.

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Round 4: Strong finish for Manny

De La Hoya comes alive in the fourth round, but Pacquiao came up with a whirlwind finish to steal the round. De La Hoya lands a solid right to Pacquiao’s face early in the round, his first big punch of the match. But the Golden Boy still cannot find a solution to the speed of Pacquiao’s left cross, enabling Pacquiao to tag him with shots to the face.

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Round 3: Fight pace slows down

The fight slows down. There's occasional brilliance from Oscar De La Hoya. He tags Pacquiao with a couple of body shots, but the Filipinnos responds with a left cross. Pacquiao has been landing his left cross at will.

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Round 2: Pacquiao still in control

Oscar De La Hoya is busier with his pet left jab, but Manny Pacquiao remains in control. Pacquiao manages to sneak his left cross to tag the Golden Boy several times and his brilliant ring movement to offset his opponent's six-inch reach advantage. So far, Manny has won the first two rounds.

Posted by : Cedelf P. Tupas

Round 1: Manny off to strong start

Manny Pacquiao gets off to a strong start in his dream match against Oscar De La Hoya. Pacquiao connected on his 1-2 combinations with his left tagging De La Hoya several times. De La Hoya showed some signs of aggression late in the round but Pacquiao manages to dance his way out of trouble

Posted by : Cedelf P. Tupas