Count me as one of the people who believes the December fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao is a farce. I’m never going to knock Oscar for the simple fact that he fights everyone and anyone, bringing the fans the match ups they want. At the same time, let’s not confuse the fact that he’s a businessman and a very good one at that. Why else would he try to make a fight with Pacman happen? Manny usually fights around 130 lbs. Oscar around 154. Think there’s a size difference? So much so, that Oscar De La Hoya apparently must pay Pacquiao $3 million for every pound he’s over 147 — the agreed upon weight limit for the fight — if he’s too heavy.
“I have already talked with Bob Arum and he told me that Oscar has agreed that the penalty will be $ 3 million for every pound or a fraction thereof in excess of 147 lbs (during the weighin),”said Pacquiao lawyer Franklin Gacal yesterday.
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“Oscar is the bigger boxer, is taller (at 5-10 as to Pacquiao who is 5-6) and has the reach advantage,” said Gacal, noting that the Golden Boy will have to sweat it out to make the welterweight limit.
Now the question is, does Manny try to slip Oscar some Caltene bars Regina George-style to make a quick buck, or avoid that strategy because it could be hazardous for him in the ring? As for the fight, the size disadvantage makes it a mis-match, and for that reason, I’m tempted to go with the much bigger and stronger De La Hoya. He might not be the sharpest fighter around, but he’s still pretty tough and packs a strong hook. This isn’t the fight that makes sense in the purist notion, but it sure will be one heck of a draw at the box office.
