After his crushing defeat against Manny Pacquiao, Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya, knew it was time. He even told his former couch Freddie Roach – “I don’t have it anymore.”

De la Hoya announced his retirement last Tuesday citing that he can no longer fight his best. He gave this statement in a news conference in downtown Los Angeles:

“Boxing is my passion, boxing is what I was born to do, and when I can’t do it any more, when I can’t compete at the highest level, it’s not fair. It’s not fair to me, it’s not fair to the fans. I’ve come to the conclusion that’s over, it’s over inside the ring for me.”

(via the Daily Contributor)

WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao dominated the “Dream Match” downing Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya in 8 rounds, leaving De La Hoya with a swollen left eye and badly bruised face.

Pacquiao proved that speed and power were enough to outclass De La Hoya, who is much taller and has a longer reach, an advantage many thought De La Hoya would exploit during the fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

During the 8th round of the fight, De La Hoya’s trainers advised the Golden Boy to forfeit the match citing his free flowing wound near his left eye.

Tell of the Tape (Via RightsPundit-Sports):

• TOTAL PUNCHES THROWN: Pacquiao 585, De La Hoya 402.

• TOTAL PUNCHES CONNECTED: Pacquiao 224, De La Hoya 83.

• TOTAL CONNECT PERCENTAGE: Pacquaio 38 percent, De La Hoya 21 percent.

• JABS THROWN: Pacquiao 252, De La Hoya 238.

• JABS CONNECTED: De La Hoya 32, Pacquiao 29.

• JAB CONNECT PERCENTAGE: De La Hoya 13 percent, Pacquiao 12 percent.

• POWER PUNCHES THROWN: Pacquiao 333, De La Hoya 164.

• POWER PUNCHES CONNECTED: Pacquiao 195, De La Hoya 51.

• POWER PUNCH CONNECT PERCENTAGE: Pacquiao 59 percent, De La Hoya 31 percent.

Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is all pumped up for his weekend “dream match” with the “Golden Boy”, American Oscar de la Hoya.

Despite de la Hoya’s obvious advantage in height and reach, Pacquiao said that he was “ready and excited” going into Saturday’s fight with de la Hoya.

Pacquiao, the World Boxing Council lightweight champion is acknowledged by many experts as the world’s bet pound-for-pound fighter.

During radio interview with a local Las Vegas station, Pacquiao said, “I am prepared for the Saturday fight. This will be a good fight, I am focused on the fight. I am ready, I am excited.”

Pacquiao hails from Philippines, a country known to stop working while Pacquiao works he’s move on the ring.

Pacquaio’s record is nailed at 47-3 record, with two drawn and 35 knockouts. Pacquiao beat Mexican David Diaz and claimed WBC lightweight belt last June. He is the first Asian to hold belts in four different weight classes.

De la Hoya, who has won world titles in six different weight classes, meanwhile has not fought as a 147-pounder in seven years. He has held belts in six different weight classes and brings to the ring a 39-5 record, with 30 knockouts.