‘Golden Boy’ a champion through and through - Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – A champion both inside and outside the ring. This was how reigning pound for pound Manny Pacquiao described his one-time foe Oscar De La Hoya, who called it quits after an 16 years of carrying the torch for the sport. “Bilib ako sa mga nakamit ni Dela Hoya na mga parangal at mga titulo," Pacquiao wrote as he paid tribute to De La Hoya, the sport’s biggest attraction, in his “Kumbinasyon" column for PhilBoxing.com and Abante. “Ang pagiging champion sa anim na divisions ay isa lamang sa mga pinakamalaking record na naitala ni Oscar sa kaniyang buhay. Pero bukod pa sa sampung magkakaibang titulo, alam kong siya ay hindi lang kampeon sa ibabaw ng ring kundi pati na rin sa labas nito, sa pang-araw araw na buhay," Pacquiao added. The 30-year-old pride of General Santos City said he was privileged to enter the ring against the Golden Boy, one of his boxing idols, last December. That “dream match" served as validation for Pacquiao’s P4P status and heralded a changing of the guard in boxing’s torch bearer. "Isang karangalan ang makalaban si Oscar Dela Hoya at ang talunin siya ay para pa ring isang panaginip, kung babalikan ko ang aming nakaraang laban. Isa ring karangalan ang makuha mula kay Ginoong Dela Hoya ang simbulo ng pamumuno sa sport na ito at ipinapangako kong gagawin ko ang lahat upang lalong maging tanyag ang boxing," he said. Although saddened by the fact that his “idol" would no longer fight, Pacquiao said he looks forward to seeing De La Hoya, the promoter and matchmaker, around. “Oscar, I salute you and I know that you will continue to be with us in your capacity as the head of Golden Boy Promotions. Good luck on your new journey," he said. Pacquiao and De La Hoya will be seeing each other more as GBP shares promotional rights with Top Rank for the former’s much-awaited showdown with International Boxing Organization junior welterweight king Ricky Hatton on May 2. –GMANews.TV