Manny Pacquiao recently shared an emotional sentiment regarding a legendary Hall of Fame boxer he once defeated, expressing that this fighter remains his idol. This revelation came after a spectacular performance by Pacquiao, where he showcased his remarkable speed and skill, ultimately forcing his idol into retirement with a decisive stoppage victory.
During this period in his career, Pacquiao was on an impressive winning streak, having already taken down notable opponents such as Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, finishing both fights before the final bell rang. By then, he had already etched his name in boxing history as a seven-division world champion, and he further solidified his legacy by capturing the WBC title in the super-welterweight category.
Despite competing at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds, Pacquiao often faced opponents who had a significant size advantage over him. In these encounters, he relied heavily on his extraordinary speed and technical ability to secure victories, which was particularly evident during his memorable bout against Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya, who was noticeably larger, had to weigh in at 145 pounds for their clash in 2008. In contrast, Pacquiao weighed only 142 pounds and delivered a fierce performance that culminated in an eighth-round stoppage, prompting De La Hoya's corner to end the one-sided contest. This fight marked the final appearance of the famed 'Golden Boy' in the ring.
Before facing Pacquiao, De La Hoya hadn't fought at welterweight since his own fifth-round knockout victory over Arturo Gatti back in 2001. Additionally, he had faced setbacks against other boxing greats like Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, and Floyd Mayweather prior to his last fight against Pacquiao.
After their match, the two fighters exchanged respectful words, and Pacquiao took the opportunity to remind De La Hoya that he still regards him as a major source of inspiration. "You’re still my idol, you’re still my idol, whatever happens," he stated. In a touching reply, De La Hoya acknowledged the admiration, saying, "No, now you’re my idol."
Following his impressive victory over De La Hoya, Pacquiao continued his success by achieving a stunning second-round knockout against Hatton, and then went on to claim the WBO world welterweight title from Miguel Cotto. These triumphs not only added to his accolades but also further emphasized the respect he holds for the legends of the sport.
