Talking Boxing News
State of the Game: Can De la Hoya-Pacquiao Return Boxing to the Glory Days?
NEWSFLASH - The December 6, 2008 fight between
Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiano has been the single event that has kept boxing
in the spotlight in an era when mixed martial arts and wrestling have
stolen the thunder and respect once controlled by the 400 feet of canvas
that displayed the quickness and skill of powerful pugilists.
Ask the average sports fan about Antonio Tarver or Jermain Taylor and they will think you may be talking about some second team linebacker on the Cowboys or the Packers. Even the mention of Ricky Hatton and Kelly Pavlick needs a little coaching before two of the most recognizable boxers around spark a moment of recognition.
The fight will most certainly sell plenty of boxing tickets ringside for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the hype machine by Golden Boy Promotions is sure to make the event a favorite that night on pay-per-view at homes and bars.
There is something about the national
hero from the Philippines making a challenge of the best known fighter
ever since Floyd Mayweather, Jr. retired. In fact, Del Lay Hoya has
been rumored to be considering retirement himself, which would be an
absolute disaster for every boxing association in the world.
Without the next great personable fighter crowned to keep the fans in touch with the ring boxing may well disappear from pay-per-view altogether and fade away into the corners of Las Vegas, being left to be forgotten like the casinos of old.
No, this fight is important. It is important that both fighters put up a good fight that lasts much longer than the Lennox Lewis in 2002. This may seem like an old tired reference but this is the last big name fight the general public remembers and if the general public cannot remember your important contests then the sport cannot survive. Sports are a business and business needs people, not just a special niche of fans.
The Oscar De Lay Hoya- Pac Man fight better see both fighters bring every ounce of determination. The fight will not only give the sport the attention it desperately needs, but it will also give the public a chance to see the next great self-promoting boxer in Manny Pacquiano. They need to see his viscous attacks and need to be told about his run for a seta in his nation’s government and shown that in another part of the world boxing lives.
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