I'd just like to get the point of view from posters in the classic section, whether you think it can happen or not......How can Manny Pacquiao win against DLH? What strategy can Pacquiao use that would give him the best chance to win. I dont think Pacquiao is going to be the aggressor against DLH, I think he'll actually start the fight on the backfoot trying to use his speed and quickness to box DLH. Come on classic section, I want your input. If you're Pac's strategist, what would your fight strategy be?
Pac's chances are mostly physiological, and are connected to the weight issue. Oscar hasn't made 147 in years. In the same years, his body composition hs changed. It's not like he is massive at 154, but there is a chance he could get the weight wrong, and have to ditch fast in the run up to the fight. If that happens, he may have trouble with concussive punching due to brain issues, or he may cut up more easily. That's it. Pac is hugely outreached, in with a more powerful fighter who he can't KO who is stronger and taller. Pac's chances are connected to Oscar's weight.
Speed is what Pacquiao has in his favor. Pacquiao may be the fastest opponent Oscar has ever faced. Pacquiao should use lots of side to side movement while remaining close. If the Forbes fight is any indicator, he should be able to put his hands on him a lot. Another asset of Manny's is his stamina. Oscar can win rounds against Pacquiao with much less effort, as his punches will be much heavier. Pacquiao must set a pace De la Hoya cannot match. All things are easier said than done, especially in the prize ring. However, the above listed strategy is something that Pacquiao is capable of. It's pretty much the way he performed in his last fight.
Beating him to the punch consistantly and getting his combinations off first before stepping in and out. Pacquiao weighed 144 in the ring for his 130lb fights, so he won't be too small at Welter, he'll be around the same size as PBF. I actually expect Manny to gain muscle as he has consistantly over the years while keeping a low bodyfat Manny isn't going to become a master backfoot fighter with loads of lateral movement over night but he can use his fast feet to move in and out of range and use head movement on the way in. Allot will depend on how Manny handles the 5 inch height and reach disadvantage. If Delahoya gets his jab working, timing it and keeping Pacquaio backed up Manny could be in trouble Obviously allot of dependant on how each fighter handles the others punch. Manny didnt rock David Diaz the same way he rocked 130lbers but Diaz has a cast iron chin and he eventually managed to take him out after landing many flush shots. If Delahoya can simply walk through Manny's shots its over
This is a stupid fight. It's stupid because Pacman has virtually no chance of winning, with the size disparity, Why must Pac endanger his legacy like this? It's also stupid for Oscar because if he wins (more than likely he will) then SO WHAT? He won against a much smaller guy, and there's no glory in that, but if Pac should perform gallantly in defeat then Oscar's reputation will suffer, and rightfully so. The only possible positive that should come about in this fight would be if, and it's a huge "if" that Pac should somehow win. If that happens, and I don't think it will, it would mean that everybody's p4p list, current as well as all-time p4p list would have to be seriously revised to accommodate Pacman. It's pretty much, realistically considered, a no-win fight, except for the slim possibility of that last scenario taking place.
I agree, this is a stupid fight, a fight I honestly never thought would be made. To answer your question, Pac can win if he fights like Barbados Joe Walcott and swarms Oscar firing lefts and rights from all angles, either that, or hit and run.
Examples of world class fighters overcoming such size disparities are few and far between. There are examples like Barbados Joe Waqlcott and Mickey Walker. Where it has been done they have done it by walking through the fire and getting on the inside. It hurts but it is the only way. If he manages it then a legend is born.
Pacquiao hasn't even been off his feet in the last several years, has he? The days of him being knocked out relatively easily seem to be far behind him. Of course he's not going to eat anything Oscar throws at him without a problem but his chin definitely isn't brittle. His competition in recent years hasn't been anything but world class. Also... The size issue? I find it interested that no one remembers him fighting Oscar Larios at 130. Larios is one of the sports biggest weight drainers... He was even bigger then Israel Vazquez in their second fight,. Israel himself is a damned big fighter, a notorious cutter. Anyway, Forbes marked DLH up badly and he lost nearly every round on the judges cards against De La Hoya. Pacquiao is a punishing puncher, and it's not very difficult to imagine a cuts stoppage.
If I were coaching Pac, I would show him tapes of Duran. He basically has to pop in and out of range -- never be stationary at DLH's distance and counter when DLH reaches for him. Circle to the right away from the DLH jab and left hook. Either way out there or inside, and out again. Pac's speed of foot is the best thing he has going for him. Also, considering the weight and age of DLH, every punch 'cept a jab should be to the body. Fight a minimalist fight and stink up the place -- you can't be a crowd-pleaser in this one, 'cause if it becomes a war you're the first casualty. If DLH seems to tire at any point, turn it on. To the body. Again.
DLH tired late against Mayweather... I mean, come on. The mans stamina has been medicore for a very long time.
Contrary to what McGrain said, De La Hoya was on weight during the week for the media day at Big Bear, weighing a reported 146lbs on that day. It would be different if he was struggling with the weight during the last week or so leading up to the fight. I don't think it's a physiological ploy either. De La Hoya looks extremely thin around the face and slim from head to toe. It's been well documented that taking large amounts of weight off over a short space of time is dangerous. These are the problems fighters have when it comes to making weight. Many fatalities occur when fighters lose large chunks of weight over a short space of time. Stamina is effected, power, and prone to being cut easier. Fighters are also likely to be taking more punches than usual as speed and reflexes decrease. I have always said that De La Hoya is a natural welterweight. The poster from the general forum and who sometimes posted on here, Erratic Behaviour, was adamant that De La Hoya would never be able to make 147lbs again. It was bordering on impossible in his opinion. When he moved up to jr middleweight it was not due to having problems making welterweight. He moved up to win titles at five different weights and decided to hang around. Mayweather snr said that De La Hoya was eating like crazy to get up to jr middleweight while in camp for the Castillejo fight. Roy Jones could easily have made 168lbs after having fought at 175lbs for many years. Earlier this year he stepped onto the scales at 170lbs for his fight with Trinidad. Another 2lbs would not have been a problem 6-7 years ago. Jones has always been a natural super-middleweight fighting at light-heavyweight. Same scenario with De La Hoya and 147/154lbs. De La Hoya was due to move down to welterweight after the Hopkins fight when he announced he'd continue fighting. Only when the offer came along to fight Mayorga for a title at 154lbs did he continue campaiging with the jr middles.
Good post. Strategy is what I'm looking for from others here in the classic section. Absolutely Pac will have to move to his left, away from DLH's left hook. I believe Pac can nullify DLH's left hook by doing just that, and keeping himself in the fight. ....but can he dart in and out enough times during the rounds to merit deserving them, is a big question mark in my mind. I'd give Pac more of a chance if he could punch consistently with his right hand, so while Pac will be circling to his left to avoid DLH's left hook, its likely convenient for DLH to do the same to avoid Pac's straight left........and neither of them has a potent enough right hand to make the other think twice to circle in a different direction. .....so imo its going to come down to who has the better timing to catch the other while in punching distance. Stylistically, I dont see this as a mismatch. In fact, Pac's style imo can cause DLH problems. Pac does have a herky jerky type of way of coming in, which can be a problem trying to find him to land clean......and DLH imo is'nt a precise type of puncher, he's always relied more on throwing punch flurries and in the process hoping a few connect. Size of course is likely to be the factor in DLH's favor.....Pac cant afford to make many mistakes because it can cost him dearly. What Pac really has in front of him when he faces DLH, is a much bigger version of MAB. DLH strenghts are very similar to MAB's.....they both can box moving laterally, they both have good jabs, and both's best weapon is the left hook......they also both share a weakness with their right hands.....We saw twice how easily Pac handled MAB...... The darn size and weight issue again. Can Pac overcome a big version of MAB....with more size, mass and reach? This is how I see it. People make a stink because Forbes was able to land shots on DLH and mark up his face. I dont see the big flaw in that, because from how I saw it, the times that Forbes landed on DLH.....DLH had his feet planted and was baiting Forbes to hit him, so that he could have a counter opportunity. In other words DLH did'nt respect Forbes punchin power and was inviting to get hit, because he wanted to catch Forbes with a big shot while Forbes was punching. From my point of view, the only way Pac can win is if he can make DLH taste his power and make him respect it. The first two rounds should tell the whole story. If DLH having guaged Pac's power is like in the Forbes fight planting his feet and inviting Pac to flurry so that he himself can fire a big shot, then Pac will have zero chance to win, because it would mean DLH would have guaged and have no respect for Pac's strenghth or power. DLH has a history of stamina issues, but believe me, this is'nt going to be an issue if DLH is'nt respecting Pac's punching power. If Pac gets DLH's respect with his strenghth and power, then Pac imo has a chance to make it competitive, and have a chance to outhustle DLH in the later rounds to have a chance at a decision. I'm like most of you all, I dont think Pac will hit hard enough at Welter to even make DLH even think about defense.......but if by chance Pac does take even 65 to 70% of his power up with him......I'm telling you guys, DLH is going to be in a fight. .......I'm hoping for the latter but not counting on it!
Easy...Tell Pacquiao, Hoya slept with Jinkee...and the newborn baby is not his. Pacquiao win percentage: 9.99% De la Hoya win percentage: 30.00% Draw: 0.005% Double KO: 0.005% People having fun watching this crazy match-up: 60.00%
Basically, Pac has to utilize the advantage in hand and foot speed, tire DLH out, (if possible by making Oscar chase him a little), and capitalize when Oscar gasses, which he's been doing regularly for years now. Go to the body to help that process along. Every time he throws something at DLH's face, make sure it's a slashing shot, absolutely do anything possible to cut Oscar, distract him, or make him hesitant to counter or leave himself open. Biggest thing is the stamina. Save as much strength as possible for the last 4 rounds, and then, on a scale of 1-10, turn it up to about 17. Aim for a stoppage on cuts or battering Oscar and getting a TKO after he gasses out. Almost certainly not going to happen, but that's what I see as the best chances given Manny's style and abilities.
