By Mark Vester
According to a recent report in the Manila Bulletin, Top Rank president Bob Arum appeared with Filipino writer Dennis Principe on DZSR 918, a Manila based radio station, talking about the possibility of a clash between Manny Pacquiao, currently a super featherweight, and Oscar De La Hoya, currently a junior middleweight - at the welterweight limit of 147-pounds.
The outrageous bout has caused boxing pundits and insiders to scratch their heads, citing the huge disparity in size between the two fighters. Arum says that plenty of fighters have moved up in size to beat much bigger opponents.
"It (Pacquiao-De La Hoya) is two fights down the road," Arum said. "I come from an era where fighters fought above the weight all the time. Where great fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson went up and fought the light-heavyweight champion (Joey Maxim). Where middleweights fought heavyweights. We’ve seen (light-heavy) Roy Jones with (heavyweight John) Ruiz. Henry Armstrong was the lightweight champion, (and) middleweight champion (who fought Filipino Ceferino Garcia)," said Arum, who turns 76 on Dec. 8. "So, you know, this is nothing new," he said.
Pacquiao, scheduled to return on March 15 on HBO pay-per-view, is facing either Juan Manuel Marquez or moving up to lightweight to take on WBC champ David Diaz. He will then return in July, likely at 135-pounds. Arum says that boxing experts should not overlook Pacquiao's chances against De La Hoya.
"Manny Pacquiao brings a lot to the table against Oscar. He has the speed, a good punch. He takes a good punch. He may be outsized by De La Hoya but remember when he fought (Marco Antonio) Barrera, he went into the ring at 144 lbs," said Arum.
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