Pacquiao will 'kill De La Hoya's body and the head will fall'

By Danyeva Grace C. Donato
PhilBoxing.com



Like British mauler Bob Fitzsimmons who used body shots to tear down to pieces James "Gentleman Jim" Corbett to claim the world heavyweight title in 1897, Manny Pacquiao is also expected to zero in on Oscar De La Hoya's body from the opening bell and destroy the Golden Body in the later rounds.

Fitzimmons was also the underdog when he knocked out Corbett with body blows where he became famous for the cliche: "Kill the body and the head will die."

Freddie Roach is reportedly making sure Pacquiao can roll past De La Hoya's fences and once inside, deliver the hardest blows in the body that could make De La Hoya grimace in pain and force him to surrender or fall like a sack of potatoes.

Roach has reportedly "solved" De La Hoya's height puzzle and is extremely confident the 29-year-old Pacquiao will make history on December 6 in Las Vegas, Nevada when he inflicts the Golden Boy probably his "most embarrassing defeat."

De La Hoya stands five feet and 11 inches as against Pacquiao's five feet and six inches.

"There will be no mismatched because Manny has studied how to befuddle a taller foe," remarked a prominent ring physician who requested anonymity because he holds a "sensitive" position in a world boxing body.

De La Hoya's body is now reportedly a suspect because of long period of inactivity despite edging on points a little-known foe in May this year. He as not fought in 2005 and picked up only a win apiece in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

"De La Hoya's mind may still be willing, but his body will tell him enough is enough," added the ring doctor.

Against the "smaller" Pacquiao, De La Hoya, 35, is expected to utilize his reach advantage to prevent Pacquiao from entering the "forbidden" territory which is the space between his elbows and breadbasket.

He is also expected to use his left jab as often as necessary to prevent Pacquiao from throwing combinations in the body.