Who won the Pacquiao vs de la Hoya fight? Wast it Manny Pacquiao or Oscar de la Hoya? Well, it's a little too early for that. The fight is still more than twenty-four hours away as of this writing and we won't know the Pacquiao vs de la Hoya fight results until then, but I understand
your eagerness to find out. This match-up has been billed as one of the most anticipated bouts in boxing in recent years, and rightfully so. Manny Pacquiao has conquered all his recent foes (mostly Mexicans) in his gradual ascent to the top of the boxing rankings and naturally, he has become not just the idol of boxing fanatics worldwide but also a target of all boxers eager for a challenge. And his continuous jump from one boxing weight division to another in finding a more challenging foe sweetens his name even more. Oscar de la Hoya, on the other hand, is definitely boxing's golden boy, the idol of millions and one of the biggest draws the sport has ever had. In the twilight of his boxing career, he still remains a top attraction and recent losses haven't diminished his shine, contrary to the norm. Thus, the Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar de la Hoya fight is understandably a blockbuster, with tickets sold out right after selling was opened a few months ago. Expect this fight to be a n internet hit as well, with millions of fans around the world searching for the phrases "pacquiao fight results", "pacquiao vs de la hoya fight results" and "who won pacquaio vs de la hoya fight" dominating the searches soon. Truly a dream match.

But is it really a dream match or, should it be rightfully billed as a grudge match? Both camps have continually denied that there exists a grudge between the two but there's no denying that the friction of past events still play a factor in this match. Let us refresh our memories.

Update: Manny Pacquiao has WON, after Oscar de la Hoya quit in the ninth round. Read more about it HERE (including a round-by-round analysis from USA Today)

Among other things, Manny Pacquiao is also known as 'Mexican slayer' having defeated some of Mexico's best and most celebrated boxers in his career. Morales, Barrera, Marquez. These are just some of the Mexican contenders he has defeated. Naturally, Pacquiao has become a target of fighters from that country, a country that prides itself not just with its rich history and culture, but also with its tradition of producing some of the best boxers in the world. Though Oscar de la Hoya is an American, his ancestry is Mexican. And he has, more than once, mentioned in interviews that one of his goals for this Pacquiao vd de la Hoya fight is to avenge the defeat of his compatriots.

Another grudge of Oscar de la Hoya stems from the contract dispute he had with Manny Pacquiao many months ago. After having agreed to berth with Golden Boy Promotions, Pacquiao changed his mind and decided to accept a more lucrative offer from Bob Arum. Oscar de la Hoya was dumped, and I'm sure this episode hasn't been forgotten despite statements to the contrary from both camps.

On the side of Manny Pacquiao, I don't see any grudge from the Filipino fighter. This Pacquiao vs de la Hoya match (fight) is another bout for him, another money-maker, another chance to bring glory to his country. However, it is his trainer, Freddie Roach, who has the grudge to settle. He was once Oscar de la Hoya's prized trainer, a relationship he thought would last his career. He even recounted in interviews what de la Hoya once told him: "Oscar looked me in the eye and he told me, ‘You know, Freddie, I’m never going to take another fight without you in my corner,’ ” Roach said. “When someone looks you in the eye and tells you something like that, you believe them. At least I do. Or at least I did." However, a few months later, after Oscar's narrow defeat in the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr., he found out that he had been dumped. Yup, he was dumped by Oscar de la Hoya for Floyd Mayweather Sr. And the worst thing about it was he found out through the papers. According to Freddie Roach, "He didn’t call me,” Roach said. “I found out by reading the newspaper. He called me later and talked to me, but the best way to find out isn’t by reading the paper. I thought we had a better relationship."

In succeeding interviews, though he wouldn't readily admit that had any other interest in the Pacquiao vs de la Hoya fight beyond his role as Manny Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach finally admitted the grudge in a recent face-to-face with Yahoo's Kevin Lole:

But after a little prodding, Roach conceded he may get a little more satisfaction out of a Pacquiao victory over De La Hoya than he ever has previously.

“Well, with all that has been said back and forth between Oscar and I, it would be embarrassing to lose,” Roach said, chuckling. “I guess it would be a little vindication if Manny were to win. I don’t feel like Oscar handled the situation between us the way a man should. He’s been blaming me for his loss. How could he blame me? But when Manny beats him, I’ll be able to look at Oscar and know that he won’t be able to blame me this time.”

Dream match or grudge match? Maybe neither. Another title people have bestowed on the Pacquiao vs de la Hoya fight is 'money match'. He he. And somehow I agree with them. With no title at stake, it is was very hard to imaging that this would come to fruition a year ago. Though rumors were already swirling by then, many thought it would only end up as such. However, when the money offers started rolling in and the potential for more from HBO PPV royalties were considered, it was a done deal. More than the glory of winning over the other, I think this match will be remembered for the amount of money generated.

But whatever this fight is called, and whatever each player's motivation for fighting the other is, it is undeniable that the Pacquiao vs de la Hoya fight is another blockbuster. And we only have a little more than twenty-four hours to wait to find who wins. Though my money is on Pacquaio, I must admit that I won't be too sad if Oscar de la Hoya wins.

Postscript: Here's a head-to-head analysis and prediction by Ring Online. I'm sure many of you will be interested in these stats.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Skills: Pacquiao evolved from a one-dimensional brawler into a very good boxer under the guidance of Freddie Roach. However, De La Hoya, even with his revolving-door approach to trainers over his career, has always been an extremely sound all-around boxer.
Edge: De La Hoya

Power: De La Hoya was once a devastating puncher but his power has diminished as he’s gone up in weight. Of course, he’s going down to 147 for the first time since 2001; he might have extra pop at welterweight. Pacquiao is not a one-punch KO artist but has always been powerful. However, at 147, he won’t be able to hurt De La Hoya.
Edge: De La Hoya

Speed: One thing Pacquiao’s opponents are often surprised by is his remarkable speed. Combine that with his tenacity and improving boxing ability and you get the best fighter in the world. De La Hoya has always been quick-handed; he’s just not as fast as Pacquiao, particularly at 35.
Edge: Pacquiao

Defense: Again, Pacquiao has improved significantly as a boxer. Still, he’s never been particularly difficult to hit. That can be attributed in good part to his aggressive fighting style. De La Hoya has always put a premium on safety, one reason he’s lasted so long in the sport. He knows how to avoid punches.
Edge: De La Hoya

Experience: Both fighters have been at the top of the sport for a generation of fighters, fighting in a combined 40 major world title fights (De La Hoya 29, Pacquiao 11). Nothing phases either one of them. De La Hoya gets a slight edge because he’s been a major player a bit longer.
Edge: De La Hoya

Chin: Neither fighter has been hurt many times. De La Hoya has been stung a few times by punches to his head but was never in serious danger. Only Bernard Hopkins has stopped him, with a body shot. Pacquiao was stopped twice early in his career but has taken some huge shots in his prime without a disastrous result.
Edge: De La Hoya

Conditioning: Freddie Roach, who has been around boxing for several decades, said he’s never seen a fighter train harder than Pacquiao. He could probably fight 20 rounds if he had to. De La Hoya has had periods in his career when he didn’t train as hard as he should have, which might explain his tendency to fade late in fights, but he seems to be extremely serious about this fight.
Edge: Pacquiao

Wear-and-tear: De La Hoya, 35, has never taken a beating but appears to have declined at least somewhat after 30 years of boxing. Pacquiao, 29, has been in many wars but seems to be as fresh as ever.
Edge: Pacquiao

Corner: Both trainers garner tremendous respect. Nacho Beristain has trained a number of champions from Mexico, making him a legend in his country. And Freddie Roach, too, has worked with many big-name champions. Clearly, he’s at the top of his game. Pacquiao gets the edge here because he’s worked long term with Roach; this is De La Hoya’s first fight with Beristain.
Edge: Pacquiao

Outcome: Ask yourself: What was your first reaction when you heard this fight would take place? Answer: Pacquiao is too small. That is the most-significant factor in the fight. Pacquiao will attack and land his share of punches. However, in the end, if De La Hoya fights a smart fight – stay outside, wrap Pacquiao up when he gets inside – he’ll wear the smaller man down.
Prediction: De La Hoya KO 10