Pacquiao humbles De La Hoya in Vegas.

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Team Pacquiao celebrates after his win over
Oscar "The Golden Boy" De La Hoya at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Dream Match of Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya ended in a tremendous finish. Pacquiao was victorious over De la Hoya after 8 rounds via TKO. Referee Tony Weeks halted the match before the beginning of the 9th round, as requested by De La hoya's trainer Nacho Beristain. The odds are stacked on Pacquiao which most Boxing Pundits have favored De La Hoya to win the bout. But the disadvantage became the strenght for the Filipino fighter in the first 4 rounds. It was evident that Manny took control of everything while he (De La Hoya) wasn't able to make use of his height and reach advantage.

The Golden Boy clearly lost his focus. His strategy of going toe-to-toe with Pacman was the only way to perhaps take him down but was too quick for him. His advantages were all downplayed as Manny moved around in circles and toyed with Oscar the entire match. His strenghts indeed became his weakness and that determined who was gonna win the fight. The 35-year old De La Hoya took the most brutal beating from a fighter that is 4 inches shorter yet quicker than him. It wasn't his age that let him down but rather, it was the speed of Pacquiao that made the difference. His (Pacquiao) quickness was too much for the Golden Boy to handle.

Give credit to Oscar De La Hoya for putting up a helluva fight with Manny Pacquiao. Everybody expected the match to be a long one but surprisingly, it ended after 8 rounds. Both fighters did put up a good show and for those who went to Las Vegas to watch fight, spent money for the pay-per-view was well worth it. The Dream Match is already in the books, everybody went home happy. The Filipino fans celebrated with Pacman's win. Manny earned the respect of Mexican fans alike. Manny Pacquiao has already proven to the world that he's truly the best fighter in boxing today. His victory over De La Hoya was a statement. A statement that proves he can go up against even the biggest and strongest fighters from any part of the globe.

Now that Pacquiao's legacy is already etched in stone, boxing fans now await who Pacman's next opponent will be for next year. Speculations now brewing of possible opponents are Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez, Britain's Ricky Hatton, and former Welterweight Champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (reportedly coming out of retirement). Whoever his next opponent for next year will surely be a good yet an entertaining fight at that.

Pacman's win over The Golden Boy made me feel proud to be Filipino even more. Congratulations Manny Pacquiao. You've put the Philippines in the map once again.

Mabuhay ka Manny Pacquiao! Mabuhay ang PILIPINAS!!!