Government could halt Manny Pacquiao fight against oversized opponent

Ricky Hatton has become an icon with boxing fans in the UK, but could you imagine Gordon Brown, David Cameron, or Jackie Smith coming forward to express their fears over Hatton being hurt by a bigger opponent, with a longer reach? Hands off our boy!

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Little and large: Pacquiao may be going a weight to far this time

In this case, 'Only in the Philippines', where Manny Pacquiao, the world-rated No 1 pound for pound fighter, is a national icon and treasure. He is the regarded as a living legend. He's a great boxer, and an honourable man. Such an icon, in fact, that warring factions in that country have called a truce when he fights, as the country grinds to a halt.

But now...a new level of 'Manny Idolatry', from a Filipino congressman, who has requested that the Government revoke, temporarily, Pacquiao's licence to stop him from entering into what Rufus Rodriguez insists may be an unfair mismatch with Oscar de la Hoya in Las Vegas in December.

"I'm afraid that Oscar can hurt Manny very badly. Pacquiao is destined to be a great boxer. We should take care of him," said Rodriguez. "Their fight in December is not for glory, but for money."

Pacquiao faces De La Hoya in a 12-round welterweight fight, Pacquiao is coming up two weight divisions, while de la Hoya must come down to the 147lb limit.

Pacquiao started his career at 106lbs. He won his first world title at flyweight. De La Hoya has won 10 world championships in six different weight classes.

I must admit that when the fight was first made - and there had been talk of Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao at one point, in front of 100,000 in an open air fight at Wembley Stadium last year - my gut instinct was that Pacquiao was undersize and De La Hoya oversize in this one. De La Hoya has fought the likes of Bernard Hopkins - at middleweight - and is coming down two divisions. Pacquiao is moving up two divisions from his natural fighting weight.

In a TV interview in the Philippines, Congressman Rodriguez said the bout should be stopped. "Manny is a national treasure. If something bad happens to him in that fight the Government and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) would be blamed."

It then emerged that there was actually some substance behind the request. Eric Buhain, chairman of the GAB, revealed that the board had passed a resolution in July which said they were against the fight. The board has actually asked Pacquiao to update them on his preparation on a weekly basis to appease all those supporting him. Congressman Rodriguez insists the Gaming Board should also inform the Nevada Commission that the Philippine Government does not sanction the Pacquiao-De La Hoya fight.

Pacquiao, 29 - known in the Philippines as The Destroyer, People's Champ, and National Fist - should receive between $15 million and $20 million from the non-title fight. Pacquiao is self-managed.