Pacman did right, De La Hoya did not

What can Manny Pacquiao do for an encore?

The four-time world champion emphatically tarnished the legend of The Golden Boy in a commanding performance over eight rounds. De La Hoya was slow and plodding, a shadow of a once-great fighter. Let’s take a post-fight look at the five factors Pacquiao needed to dominate to win.

Size. De La Hoya could not use his advantage because Pacquiao did not allow him to. Pacman circled counter-clockwise, keeping away from De La Hoya’s sharp jab and left hook. This befuddled the 10-time champ, who could not keep pace with the Filipino. In a sense, Oscar’s size worked against him. He became a flatfoot, unable to bounce after Manny.

Records. Pacquiao is the first non-African American boxer (outside of Tito Trinidad) to beat De La Hoya, and only the second to score a knockout against him. One stat that was largely overlooked has been the combined quantity and quality of opponents. As mentioned before, De La Hoya has fought with diminishing frequency in recent years, with the exception of 2008. But Pacquiao has fought frequently, and against better opposition, and managed to stay razor-sharp.

It was also probably the prospect of damaging Oscar’s record that forced them to throw in the towel, although there was some disagreement within the De La Hoya camp about that, as well. Too many proud fighters have been knocked senseless at the tail-ends of their careers, and Golden Boy’s minions knew how his stock would crash as a boxer, and perhaps as a promoter, if he were seen pummeled into tomorrow.

Speed. This single factor, more than any other, was Pacquiao’s tour de force. Manny didn’t force the issue, but learned early in the bout that with his speed and quickness, he could drill in two- and three-punch combinations and score. The luxury of such speed also allowed him to pick his spots, and attack the body frequently. That major advantage changed Manny Pacquiao from a butcher into a surgeon.

And it allowed him to register the more telling blows.

The speed perhaps discouraged De La Hoya on the occasions that he wanted to counter-punch, because Pacquiao simply wasn’t there anymore.

Pacquiao gauged his opponent’s weakness very well, and maximized his use of handspeed.

Strategy. Using the ring, circling around, and being patient served Pacquiao very, very well. There was really no need to bore in for the kill until he sensed weakness in the middle rounds. Selective attacking also showed how much Pacquiao has matured as a boxer. No longer attacking wildly while simultaneously risking getting hit, the WBC lightweight champion was able to have his way with De La Hoya.

Power. International referee Bruce McTavish had it right: Pacquiao’s power comes from his devastating speed. That power killed De La Hoya’s will to engage. The sheer lack of volume on the part of Oscar showed how hurt he was, even in the first few rounds. Pacquiao pivoted so well when he stepped out of De La Hoya’s path, he would hit while the Golden Boy was still facing the wrong way.

This latest victory may send shockwaves through the camps of Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Pacquiao is not just an over-inflated little man, but a heavy hitter two weights up.

One last thing. Oscar De La Hoya embarrassed himself, and should retire. One could practically hear the gears in his head working, wondering when he should just quit and cash out his handsome paycheck.

Perhaps it was when his left eye began to swell. That wouldn’t look good in the papers.

Pacquiao was at his best; De La Hoya wasn’t. That is the sad truth.

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