Foe who KO'd Dela Hoya bets on Golden Boy win

MANILA, Philippines - Bernard Hopkins may have dealt Oscar de la Hoya the most embarrassing loss in his storied career.

But in the days leading to The Dream Match, Hopkins gave the Golden Boy some uplifting words saying that de la Hoya will overwhelm Manny Pacquiao.

"Manny Pacquiao is such a tremendous athlete but he is facing the fox. And that fox is Oscar," Hopkins, who reigned as the world middleweight champion for 10 years,

"The fox knows how to eat his lunch even if its is not yet served. The fox knows how to outsmart everybody."

Hopkins gave de la Hoya his only knockout loss in a world-middleweight title match in September 2004, the heaviest division de la Hoya ever climbed to. Hopkins would successfully defend his 160lb world championship the following year, retaining the belt for an unprecedented 20th time.

Hopkins' most recent bout was against Kelly Pavlik, an opponent 17 years younger than him. Hopkins won that match via unanimous decision.

Hopkins, who turns 44 in January, said he doesn't think the chances of an older de la Hoya (35) should be diminished against a younger Pacquiao (30).

"It's not the age. It shouldn't even be put into consideration. You don't decide on age. You give more weight on experience. Oscar has it," Hopkins said, adding that de la Hoya's decision to fight him showed de la Hoya has the "balls".

Hopkins said that de la Hoya's overall talent will prove too much for Pacquiao inasmuch as Pacquiao's limited skills will prove crucial to the outcome. His forecast? A de la Hoya stoppage.

"Pacman is 100-percent offense. He has questionable defense. That's how I look at it. Oscar will stop him in the eighth or ninth round." - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/137713/Foe-who-KOd-Dela-Hoya-bets-on-Golden-Boy-win

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