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A LEGEND SPEAKS

Sugar Ray picks Pacman over De La Hoya, but...

10/26/2008

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard recently picked Manny Pacquiao to win his match against boxing equal Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6 in La Vagas.

But for Pacquiao to win, he must employ excellent defense on top of his aggressive stance, Leonard told James Blears of BoxingScene.com.

Leonard, Fighter of the Decade during the 1980s, was in Mexico City for Telmex’s Telmex’s World Sports Congress. Leonard is also described as boxing’s most revered non heavyweight icon, having saved the sport during the waning years of Muhammad Ali.

Leonard called the Pacquiao-De La Hoya matchup as an “intriguing fight,” one that was set up between two fighters with 20 lbs difference in their weight classes.

Pacquiao is presently the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion, while De La Hoya used to own the WBC super-welterweight belt.

When asked about the disparity in height and weight of the two protagonists, Leonard said: “There’s no question about that. Oscar’s the bigger with more weight, taller and with a longer reach. I don’t think fans at this time are even concerned about that. It’s not a fight that is anticipated because you would never have thought these two guys could meet in the ring, because of the weight issue.”

“I think it can be intriguing, but I see Oscar as being just a bit too strong, with his reach and with his speed. It almost seems like a mismatch, but I don’t think it will be a mismatch, because also on the flip side Oscar could take him lightly. Will he? I doubt that very seriously, because Oscar needs a big win over a big name. But Oscar’s 35 years old now, and his has to be on his A game to beat Pacquiao. Pacquiao has one helluva solid chin, but can he take Oscar’s punch?

Leonard also predicted a short night, saying offense from both fighter will play in the match.

“Pacquiao’s game is offense, throwing repeated punches. He’s like a little Tasmanian Devil. He’s non-stop. But will those punches hurt Oscar? Oscar will be in pretty good damn shape himself. He’s been hit by big guys, and I don’t foresee Pacquiao hurting Oscar. Sting him. But hurt him? No,” Leonard said.

“I think Pacquiao will feel the difference of size and strength, and just that overall big guy!” Leonard added.

Leonard also broke down Pacquiao’s game, saying: “Pacquiao is very dominant with guys his size, but when he’s on the attack, he’s open, and very vulnerable. Oscar will see that…or he should see that. But Pacquiao also has to be defensive, to protect himself from the big punches.”