MANILA, Philippines?Oscar De La Hoya may be taller, longer and bigger than Manny Pacquiao but, based on his ring record, he is unlikely to bring down the Filipino icon in the early rounds.

De La Hoya, the 10-time American world champion with Mexican roots, has only a 13-percent chance of finishing off Pacquiao in the eagerly awaited Dec. 6 showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the same record shows.

Though De La Hoya has 30 knockouts on his pro chart, only four of them came in the first round.

And these hapless victims were nowhere near the caliber of Pacquiao, who will be giving up four inches in height (5-foot-6 to 5-foot-10), five centimeters in reach (68 to 73) and at least 12 pounds in weight (148-160) against De La Hoya when they slug it out for 12 rounds.

The last time De La Hoya stopped an opponent in the first round was nearly 15 years ago?the nondescript Narciso Valenzuela.

Now at 35, De La Hoya has become evidently slower, as shown by the three losses he absorbed in his last six fights.

But many boxing pundits believe that Pacquiao, having started at 107 lb, is too small to hurt De La Hoya, who has been described as one who possesses a solid chin.

Pacquiao has admittedly said that it will take some heavy pounding to bring down a great warrior like De La Hoya.

But Pacquiao has also proven that he can also patiently chip away at De La Hoya?s granite foundation.

Memories still linger of the tough David Diaz finally crumbling after absorbing a steady stream of solid punches in the ninth round of his World Boxing Council lightweight title clash with Pacquiao in June.

Pacquiao, pundits say, is also most dangerous when he is wearing the underdog tag.
MANILA, Philippines?Oscar De La Hoya may be taller, longer and bigger than Manny Pacquiao but, based on his ring record, he is unlikely to bring down the Filipino icon in the early rounds.

De La Hoya, the 10-time American world champion with Mexican roots, has only a 13-percent chance of finishing off Pacquiao in the eagerly awaited Dec. 6 showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the same record shows.

Though De La Hoya has 30 knockouts on his pro chart, only four of them came in the first round.

And these hapless victims were nowhere near the caliber of Pacquiao, who will be giving up four inches in height (5-foot-6 to 5-foot-10), five centimeters in reach (68 to 73) and at least 12 pounds in weight (148-160) against De La Hoya when they slug it out for 12 rounds.

The last time De La Hoya stopped an opponent in the first round was nearly 15 years ago?the nondescript Narciso Valenzuela.

Now at 35, De La Hoya has become evidently slower, as shown by the three losses he absorbed in his last six fights.

But many boxing pundits believe that Pacquiao, having started at 107 lb, is too small to hurt De La Hoya, who has been described as one who possesses a solid chin.

Pacquiao has admittedly said that it will take some heavy pounding to bring down a great warrior like De La Hoya.

But Pacquiao has also proven that he can also patiently chip away at De La Hoya?s granite foundation.

Memories still linger of the tough David Diaz finally crumbling after absorbing a steady stream of solid punches in the ninth round of his World Boxing Council lightweight title clash with Pacquiao in June.

Pacquiao, pundits say, is also most dangerous when he is wearing the underdog tag.