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Instead of throwing the book on the “Dream Match” between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya, the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) was urged to look into real cases of mismatches in Thailand, Japan and Australia where underrated Filipino journeymen were regularly “slaughtered.”

 

Staunch Pacquiao supporter Daniel Sumagaysay said in a report posted on PhilBoxing.com that there were so many nameless Filipino boxers who have been "slaughtered" by world-ranked rivals in Thailand and Australia.

 

"If the GAB will insist on stopping the Pacquiao-de La Hoya fight on the pretext that it is allegedly a mismatch, then the agency is guilty of committing a double standard here because it has failed to even stop the exporting of Filipino boxers who are only being fed to the lions in foreign rings," said Sumagaysay, founder of Manny Pacquiao Team Iloilo.

 

 

He added that some of these Filipino journeymen were only paid between a paltry amount between $400 to $700, as they endanger their lives by facing world-ranked fighters. 

 

Sumagaysay cited the case of unheralded Lito Sisnorio who died of brain injury after losing by knockout to former World Boxing Council flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul on March 31, 2007 in Bangkok. 

 

These "mismatches" are arranged by unscrupulous matchmakers in a hope to improve the world ranking of their wards at the expense of Filipino boxers "and this has been happening even before Chairman (Eric) Buhain became head of the GAB," he said.

 

These cases, Sumagaysay said, are in direct contrast compared to Pacquiao’s.

 

"Manny Pacquiao can defend himself against Oscar de La Hoya because he is a legitimate world champion. And besides, the promoters would not risk their multi-million investments if they realized that Pacquiao does not have a china man's chance to upset the Golden Boy," said Sumagaysay.

 

GAB Chairman Eric Buhain earlier expressed his concern over the Pacquiao-de la Hoya fight, citing the disparity in size, height, reach and weight between the Filipino and the Mexican-American.

 

He was requested by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez to stop the fight and prevent Pacquiao from risking his life.

 

“I asked Chairman Buhain about this, he said that last July, when the bout was announced, that they already have a resolution of GAB that they will not allow Pacquiao to fight de la Hoya,” said Rodriguez.

 

Buhain, however, clarified that he did not ask the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the World Boxing Council to stop the fight.

 

He said that GAB merely advised Pacquiao to rethink his decision to fight de la Hoya for his own sake.

 

 

British superstar Ricky Hatton is among the list of boxing personalities who are intrigued by upcoming "Dream Match" between de la Hoya and Pacquiao. 

 

In a report posted on SportsNews.ph, Hatton said the leap from lightweight to welterweight will be too much for Pacquiao. 

 

"By the time they get in the ring on the night it could be three weight divisions (in difference),” said Hatton "We were unsure about Pacquiao before he jumped up to lightweight. Now welter? Against someone who fights at light-middle? I can't get my head round it.”

 

Though Hatton picks de la Hoya to win, he wants to challenge Pacquiao especially if the Filipino boxer scores a stunning upset. 

 

"No disrespect to Oscar, a friend, but for my own career I'd prefer Pacquiao to win. Then I could fight him at light-welter for all the marbles," said Hatton "If there's a curb on what Oscar enters the ring at, that could be a big factor. But I think Oscar wins, unless he's absolutely 'dead'."