There's bitterness to De La Hoya-Pacquiao

The voice booming above the highlights ticked off the reasons why the Dec. 6 welterweight bout in Las Vegas involving Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao is certain to be, as an HBO executive said, "an event that transcends the sport."

"The best pound-for-pound fighter in the world versus boxing's biggest star. Two eras, two careers, one moment. The dream match!"

The HBO soundtrack played as the two boxers finished their transcontinental publicity tour at the Whittier Boulevard arch in De La Hoya's hometown of East Los Angeles. The event drew an estimated 4,000 fans -- some of whom stood on the rooftops of "Vic the Tailor Cleaners" and a hardware store.

But two of the event's key figures said the fighters' gentlemanly conduct has masked unmistakable resentment.

Last year, when De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions was suing rival promoter Top Rank for the rights to promote the Filipino star, trainer Freddie Roach said in a deposition that De La Hoya wooed Pacquiao at a Beverly Hills steakhouse in 2006 by presenting him with a suitcase filled with $250,000 in cash.

Pacquiao later rebuffed De La Hoya, accepting $1 million from Top Rank's Bob Arum.

"There is some bad blood, that's why Oscar wants to fight him," Roach said Tuesday. "Manny doesn't like Oscar, either. In the Philippines, it's a slap in the face to be sued. They may be acting like gentlemen up here, but there's a lot of dislike and motivation here."

The litigation dissolved last year when Golden Boy and Top Rank agreed to stage a Pacquiao fight against Golden Boy's Marco Antonio Barrera, but De La Hoya told The Times that he harbors bad feelings about Pacquiao's decision to reject him for the highest bidder, Arum.

"This is very personal," De La Hoya said. "Manny talks about honor, how it's so important to him. How honorable is he? When he looked into my eyes and shook my hand that we had a [promotional] deal, and then leaves me because someone will pay him more ... how honorable is that?

"It's OK. I'm going to get mine December 6th."

-- Lance Pugmire

Photo: Oscar De La Hoya, left, and Manny Pacquiao pose during a rally on De La Hoya's home turf in the middle of Whittier Boulevard in Los Angeles on Oct. 7, 2008. The two boxers are scheduled to fight in Las Vegas on Dec. 6. Credit: Reed Saxon/Associated Press Photo

Comments

[jinpol]

What's the honor for offering only a cupcake to a fighter. Being a promoter one must be fair to his fighter. DLH did not show that to Manny Pacquiao that moment. Arum is more honorable. Everyone wants money for a living, not honor. Now, look he's fighting for the money again! (DLH). = (

[julio lubas]

the difference in this fight is pacquiao really fights for his country and his willing to die for his country.

[andres_47]

Pacquiao will KO DLH inside Rd. 8! Hatton will be next, and lastly Marquez! Marquez will not go pass Rd. 5!

[ARKAN]

Look who's talking about honor. When you say that you're going to fight the winner of a particular match and then recanted after seeing how terrifying the win by the victor was, are you a man of honor yourself?

[ed uragon]

PACMAN & GOLDEN BOY, i salute you for giving more meaning to the sport of sweet science.... I salute you for your accomplishments inside and outside the ring. Moreover, I salute you for your love of music... I can't hardly wait to see the DREAM MATCH!!! Goodluck to both of you. Come the 6th of December, ONLY ONE WILL REMAIN STANDING after your big fight..........AND THE WINNER BY WAY OF KO.......the pride of the PHILIPPINES....THE NUMBER 1 POUND FOR POUND FIGHTER IN THE WOLRD......MANNY PACMAN PACQUIAO!!!!!

[tongti]

No matter what Pacquiao willl win this fight either by a decision or a knock out ! I'll bet my mother in law on this fight !

[taco bell]

You are such a cheapo Promoter DLH. You offer him $250,000. just to be your figther. Come on, dude.... You take it personal because Manny knock out all your greatest figther. Since that you dont have nobody to face the "Hand of Stone"; you personally wants & pick him to fight with you eventhough you know damn well that you have all the advantage. Listen to this & listen to me good.. He "Manny" will fight who ever comes his way for his country & not for the money. He already have enough for a living, eventhough back then he sold cigarettes on the street. That is the reason why he is a warrior because he knows how hard life is; unlike you, DLH, who had everything while growing up as a kid. Never work on the street like people I saw in Tijuana.

Be a man of yourself fooohhhhh, fight the best figther @ your size, but our Warrior will never back down against you, dude........

[lrubalcava]

Oscar is the best fighter ever. That's why he's always mentioned when boxing is brought up. It's going to be a good fight but oscar will turn the "pacman" into "ms. Pacman" come dec. 6th.

[spidey]

what honor is odlh talking about? he's fighting pacman for money... not for honor...not for america... not for mexico....ITS FOR $$$$$$$$.

[jerome]

i love pacquiao and the things that he has done for our country is just simply admirable, to say the least. but in this case, DLH is right. handshaking should be more than a physical gesture of respect. it means one has your word, and that its worth more than any money in the world.

[SALOME]

WIN OR LOOSE PACMAN WILL STILL HAVE THE BIGGEST SMILE

[Forrest Gump]

I know Pacman personaly but not vice versa.. I know he don't like the fight, he just can't refuse his promoters' love for money. He is aware that DLH has big advantage over him but he is a warrior and he won't backdown...

I'm very worried Pacman will be hurt/injured... just hope and pray it won't happen

"Remember what Pacman said after his fight with JJM, Pacman says he can fight at 140 but can't fight at 147lbs"

[lisa munoz]

Correction taco bell.....get the facts and quit it with the bs. first of all may the most conditioned man win! this is a sport that takes some serious preparation. this is not about how someone was raised or what they sold. This is about a sport and yes, Manny represents a country but ultimately he fights for him and the sport. DLH had it rough, you dont know, anyone that loses a mother at a young age does not have everything, its rough. Anyone that has to revert to selling on the streets is rough too!. Move on and look at this as what it is, a sport. I'm a fan of both, may the best man win! oh, by the way, Tijuana has nothing to do with this either, Mexican people are survivors and if working hard is what people have to do, then so be it! makes us stronger. bye taco bell.

[Kirk Harris]

DLH has fought everyone. I admire both fighters greatly. However can't see the Pac Man winning this one. Best to both of them.

[The Realist]

Oscar is the last person who should be talking about honor! He's worse then Don King and Bob Arum put together. This fight is a disgrace and fans who know what their talking about have already spoken out about it. If Oscar had ANY honor he would have fought ANTONIO MARGARITO!

[Ottog Hahn Matalam]

Remember the fight between:
1. Aaron Pryor VS. Alexis Arguello;
2. Marvin Hagler VS. Thomas Hearns;
3. Roberto Duran VS. Davey Moore.
Guess who won? The much shorter guys won by TKO!!!
That's why Oscar will be TKOed after six round.
Ask Michael Marley, Bob Arum, Manny Pinol, or Freddie Roach.

[Doctor A.]

Hope that before you have started to discuss this issue, you should have research why Pacman suddenly backoff from the deal with ODLH, for your information its should be the people around Pacman who should be blame because their the one who set up the meeting with ODLH. Pacman sign it without knowing that with his contract with Bob Arum there was a prohibitions of signing other contracts on a speicific time frame, But upon knowing that what he did was illegal he right away apologize to ODLH and return back the money bait that ODLH lure the Pacman.When Bob Arum learn about it ,he immediately talk to Pacman and told him that as his promoter he has all the right as stated in the contract.and sensing that Pacman might transfer to another promoter after that contract will expire Bob immediately gave the Pacman a huge amount to secure the extension of their contract, So learning about that mistake the Pacman now hire more legal counsel to scrutinize all the contracts that he is signing.

[Arnel "Dynamo" Arrozal]

Congrutulations good match!!!!
My personal opinion Dela Hoya first five rounds will win by KO but after five it's my countryman (Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao)by points or by KO.

[ur daddy]

Oscar had everything? Oscar being the worst promoter? dude he gave paquiao 250,000 cash! that was not all that he was going to give him...it was all that he was going to give him in CASH though...And for all those haters that hate on Oscar.... he speaks perfect spanish, grew up like we did....look at the way he grew up his traditions his pride of were he comes from...he was us and was succesful....name another person that was us that made as much money as he did...has he change or whatever? maybe but after yesterday I can tell he still remembers his roots....a mexican born a raise in los angeles or the U.S for that matter...if u were born here and call him a sell out you should look at yourself in the mirror

[Unbiased Flip]

Start:

1st round: DLH wins with Jabs, Pacman poised and dodges power punches from DLH. DLH

2nd round: Same as first but Pacman gets a left Power Punch to the face of DLH. Turning point of the match. DLH

3rd round: DLH retiliates but through the exchange DLH and Pacquiao both get hurt. No knockdowns. DLH

4th round: Both fighter poised but speed of Pacquiao cut's DLH just above the right eyebrow. PACQUIAO

5th round: DLH retilates from cut and a brawl ensues. Takes energy from DLH. Both fighters hurt. DLH

6th: DLH showing fatigue, Pacman takes advantage and lands more left Power Punches to DLH's body and right side of face. DLH's cut opens up. PACQUIAO

7th: Pacquiao eager to ensue more damage, DLH retreats, Brawl ensues, Pacman showcases his speed. DLH realizes how powerful Pacquiao is. DLH advances to twart Pacquiao's aggression. Both Fighters hurt. DLH

8th: DLH get's brief second win, hit's Pacquiao with Left Hook, Pacquiao hurt, DLH takes advantage, Pacquiao lives, DLH tired. DLH

9th: Pacquiao advances, DLH fatigued, Pacquiao gets a right in to the body and face with furious combonations, DLH tries to get payback but Pacquiao quickly dodges, Pacquiao senses DLH tired, takes advantage and showcases his speed. PACQUIAO

10: Pacquiao poised to advance, DLH retreats, Brawl ensues, DLH get's more punches in, Pacquiao tired, both live. DLH

9th: Pacquiao retilates, knocks down DLH with a Straight Left, DLH dazed but survives. Pandamonium. PACQUIAO

10: Pacquiao and DLH tired, DLH digs deep, Pacquiao retreats and survives DLH aggression. DLH's cut opens more. PACQUIAO

11: DLH sets trap for PACQUIAO, DLH lands Left Hook, hurts Pacquiao but Pacquiao retilates and hurts DLH with a Right Hook, Pacquiao survives, DLH exhausted. DLH

12: DLH plays safe, Pacquiao advances, pins DLH, DLH fights back but too exhausted, Pacquiao takes advantage and lands Straight Left to DLH. DLH goes down for the count. Pandamonium. PACQUIAO WINS.

The end.

[tito taala]

go for it GUYS and give everyone a taste of history for both of you are real fighers..comes DEC. 06.......LETS GET READY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[Sweet Punch]

THIS NICELY WRAPPED TAMAL COMES DE LA HOYA'S WAY SERVED ON A SILVER PLATTER.

HAVING SEEN THE CLOSE REMATCH BETWEEN MANNY PACQUIAO AND JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ ONE HAS TO REMEMBER THAT WHILE PACMAN WALKED AWAY THE WINNER, HE ALSO WAS EXPOSED.

THE QUESTION IS: CAN DE LA HOYA MATCH THE POWER THAT J. M. MARQUEZ BROUGHT TO REMATCH WITH MANNY?
THE ANSWER IS YES.
MANNY CAN CERTAINLY INCREASE HIS POWER BY ADDING WEIGHT, BUT WHAT ABOUT HIS CHIN. CAN MANNY'S CHIN BECOME MORE RESISTANT TO BIGGER PUNCHES?
THE ANSWER IS YET TO BE ANSWERED.

[Vic]

We have a little warrior but with the full heart! the greatest general in this world is napoleon bonaparte, his height is just about 5'2", yet he dominant 6 to 7 footer shouldiers.

God knows everything... God knows what ever happen, He is always for pacquiao.

God bless you all....

[Rei Anabieza]

Ist round and 2nd round is crucial for both, since DLH will surely take advantage by throwing rigth/left combinations to pin down the filipino boxer, should odhl fails, its the Pacman turn up to finish

[jeric]

Guys.

just wait and see. do not be the jury