De La Hoya v Pacman is on

De La Hoya will fight Pacquiao on Dec 6

Manny Pacquiao is considered the best fighter in boxing today and I always want to fight the best.

Oscar De La Hoya
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Oscar De La Hoya will fight Manny Pacquiao on December 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and Golden Boy has revealed he may fight on into the new year.

It was confirmed by both parties that the fight will be a 12-round, non-title match-up contested at the 147-pound welterweight limit.

De La Hoya, who has won titles in six different weight classes, insists he can't wait for the challenge and has even pushed thoughts of retirement to the back of his mind.

"Manny Pacquiao is considered the best fighter in boxing today and I always want to fight the best," said De La Hoya.

"I am glad we were able to make this fight happen because while Pacquiao is at the pinnacle of his success and has defeated all of the top fighters he has faced, I am going to show the world that it stops with me.

"December 6 can't get here soon enough."

Focus

De La Hoya had previously spoken of his plans to retire after his next fight but now it seems this may not be his last bout.

"My focus is on my training and my next fight," he added. "I'm not going to talk or think about retirement. We'll see how I feel after this fight. For now I have to focus on my training."

Philippines hero Pacquiao is recognised by many as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world and has won his last seven fights with his most recent victory coming over David Diaz on June 28.

Pac Man believes this will be the biggest fight of his career so far and thinks his speed will prove too much for De La Hoya.

"This is my greatest challenge," said Pacquiao. "When I take that walk to the ring to fight Oscar, I will carry all the people of The Philippines - the entire country - on my shoulders.

"I promise I will fight with all of my heart and that I will give everything I have. Like my trainer Freddie Roach says, I have what it takes to win the biggest fight of my life.

"I am faster and stronger than him and I'm also younger. He's bigger in height but I feel I'm stronger and it's going to be a great fight."