Could Smaller Gloves Give Manny Pacquiao The Chance To Rock Oscar De La Hoya’s World?

We may not know what to expect when it comes to picking a winner in the Oscar De la Hoya/Manny Pacquiao battle on December 6th. But one thing is clear: both fighters will have knockout ability on their side, at least according to Pacquiao.
Both fighters have agreed to use smaller, 8 oz. gloves for the match, which Pacquiao notes will give both fighters the potential to take care of business with one clean punch. And, of course, Pacquiao is sure that he can handle Oscar’s fists. And so is Manny’s sparring partner, who thinks the boxing world is sleeping on Pacquiao’s chances.

Pacquiao said their mutual decision to use thinner gloves only mean one thing: explosive ending.

“Just one shot (should end the fight),” said Pacquiao, who nevertheless is upbeat that he “can take De La Hoya’s best blows.”

Meanwhile, British star Amir Khan, who is one of Pacquiao’s sparring partners, told the Los Angeles Times that the Filipino has more than a puncher’s chance of upsetting De La Hoya.

“Manny’s in great shape, very explosive, very fast, you don’t know where his punches are coming from. He’s got a good chance to beat Oscar,” said Khan.

“Manny’s so sharp and quick. Speed is power. Manny’s got a good chin to handle what Oscar throws at him. He’ll just be too explosive for Oscar, and he’s a big puncher himself.”

We have been pretty critical of Oscar over the past few weeks, since he’s seemed to have a tendency to look past, if not outright ignore, his formidable opponent in Pacquiao. And now we learn that the two pugilists will be punching as close to bare-handed as they possibly can. If Manny can catch him once, and Khan seems to think he can, then Pacquiao could pull out the big upset.
And who doesn’t want to see that? Well, maybe Oscar’s camp. But who else?
Pacquiao sees brutal end to coming fight [Manila Bulletin]
Image [SIU]