Pacquiao can't wait!

Story by Ryan Macalua
Photos by John Booz

The "Dream Match" promotional tour continued at the Sears Tower in Downtown Chicago. Media and fans crowded the highest floor of the building to witness a preview of the December 6th clash between Oscar "Golden Boy" De La Hoya (39-5-1, 30 KOs) and Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs).

Within the tallest building of the United States Oscar glanced at Manny with a grin and asked, "Did you ever dream that you would fight me?"

It was a simple question, but one that has raised many others' curiosity, as well. Pacquiao's demeanor seemed calm and relaxed as he responded with what seemed the only way he knew how, a friendly grin of his own.

In the bout entitled, "The Dream Match," De La Hoya not only stands four inches higher than Pacquiao, but has a six-inch reach advantage, as well. It’s a “dream” maybe, because, for many critics, the size difference between the two seems too unreal for it to be considered a competitive fight, and more of a mismatch. 

"The size isn't much of a difference,” Pacquiao stated at the press conference. “I know that Oscar is bigger, but he isn't that much bigger than me.”

In the past 11 years of Oscar De La Hoya's career, he has only fought 145 pounds and above, while Pacquiao, who started at the 106 pound level, has only fought under 135 pounds his entire career. He will now be moving up two weight classes for this fight.

"My weight as of today is 152 pounds,” said Pacquiao. “I want to be at 146 pounds, but I still have some more work to do. We are doing special exercises that we haven't done for any of my previous fights.

"I feel very comfortable in moving up two weight classes. I can eat more and have been using weights along with other techniques to improve my power. I'm just excited to show everyone I can fight in this weight division."

A weight division issue that has been so serious that government officials as well as sanctioning bodies have been looking for a way to suspend the Filipino fighter's boxing license. 

Pacquiao seems unfazed:

"I did talk to the chairman. He said that he isn't trying to cancel my boxing license, but I think that some of these politicians just care about me and I understand that."

Although their weights may be equalized, Oscar's reach advantage may pose as the bigger threat.

A long stiff jab, equipped in Oscars arsenal, was used often in many of his previous bouts. A jab that was even put to blame as he lost a split decision to Floyd Mayweather in 2007. It was so effective that it was said that Oscar had the lead and maybe even the decision, if he’d continued throwing it.

"We studied a lot of techniques for his jab,” said Pacquiao. “Freddie believes we can counter it, you will see that in the fight. My coach knows Oscar's weaknesses, how much power he has, and how he moves."

Size maybe a significant issue in the December matchup, but one of the biggest differences may be the fact that in most of Pacquiao's recent fights he was highly favored to win.

On being a heavily underdog for this fight, Pacquiao sees it differently:

"It has given me more motivation to focus, to train hard, and to win! I am working hard to be 100 percent conditioned to prove all the critics wrong.

"I'm going to prove them all wrong and I can't wait!"

Although confident, Pacquiao does acknowledge De La Hoya, saying, "I do believe Oscar is a good fighter, but he's isn't like he was before. The power is there but I still have the speed advantage.

Pacquiao believes that a knockout is a possibility but he isn't looking for one.

"Ever since I starting fighting, I don't predict any of my fights, but I can guarantee that I will do my best. The knockout will always be there but my job is to be 100 percent conditioned."

He added that the fight with Steve Forbes (33-7, 9 KOs), whom De La Hoya defeated by unanimous decision early this year, has helped.

"Its seems like Steve and I have the same height,” said Pacquiao. “I saw some techniques that can be applied to training camp." 

Techniques that will have to outdo many of Oscar's previous opponents since in that his entire career, De La Hoya has only been knocked out once in 44 bouts and it was when he himself moved up in weight to face a bigger Bernard Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KOs) in 2004.

As for Manny's previous opponents, talks of a rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez have been looming ever since Pacquiao beat him out to a controversial split decision earlier this year. Marquez, who has been craving for another shot at the Pacman, has gone up to 135 pounds and now holds the Ring Magazine lightweight belt after defeating Joel Casamayor last month.

"I would fight Juan Manuel anytime if the negotiations are okay with my promoter Bob Arum and if he is willing to fight me at 145 or 147 pounds—because I plan to stay at that weight."