As Pacquiao prepares for his comeback, Oscar De La Hoya shared his thoughts about facing the Filipino icon. De La Hoya, known as the "Golden Boy," faced Pacquiao in 2008 in a fight that sent him into retirement.
In a recent interview with Combat Podcast, De La Hoya recalled his experience of being hit by Pacquiao:
"It's funny, because I didn't feel Pacquiao's punch, it didn't do anything to me, maybe it's because Pacquiao was coming up in weight, I believe that was his first fight at welterweight so I didn't really feel his punch. With him it was more of an accumulation"
Despite claiming Pacquiao's power "did nothing to him," De La Hoya praised the Filipino's skills. The fight ended with De La Hoya retiring in the 8th round, marking the end of his illustrious career.
Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, last fought in 2021. He lost a clear unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugás. Throughout his 72-fight career, Pacquiao has faced some of the best, including Floyd Mayweather Jr, Juan Manuel Márquez, Miguel Cotto, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Érik Morales.
When asked about Pacquiao's comeback, De La Hoya offered some cautionary advice:
"I wish him all the best. Obviously the truth is the truth, he's obviously not the same Pacquiao that fought me, that fought the greats. I wish him the best, be careful up there, he's not young like he used to be but I'm sure he still has that power so anything can happen but yeah, just be careful."
De La Hoya's words carry weight, considering the impact of their 2008 bout. That fight proved to be a turning point in both fighters' careers, with Pacquiao's victory cementing his status as a boxing superstar.
As Pacquiao prepares to face the younger champion Barrios, fans and experts alike will be watching closely. If victorious, Pacquiao has already hinted at his next desired opponent, suggesting this comeback might not be a one-off event.