Dela Hoya: Amir can beat Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Oscar dela Hoya, boxing’s “Golden Boy,” is not discounting any possibility of Amir Khan beating Manny Pacquiao in their scheduled match on April 23. 

Dela Hoya, who retired from the sport after taking a terrible beating in the hands of Pacquiao in 2008, told international sports news agency Omnisport that Khan can do it.

“I give Amir Khan a great chance. I’ve always believed in Amir Khan,” said Dela Hoya.

The early odds are pointing to the 38-year-old Pacquiao, now a senator and reigning WBO welterweight champion, as the favorite against Khan, who’s eight years younger.

Pacquiao stands as a minus-225 favorite, meaning that a wager of $225 for the heavy-hitting Filipino will only win a hundred dollars.

Khan, 31-4 inside the ring, is at plus+175, meaning a bet of $100 on the British star wins $175.

Dela Hoya, 44 and happily retired, is among those counting on Khan pulling off an upset in the coming fight that has yet to pick a venue.

“Amir Khan is one of the best fighters on the planet. He has speed. He has power,” Dela Hoya added.

What Dela Hoya failed to mention is that Khan also has a glass jaw.

In three of his four defeats, Khan suffered three knockouts, the first one after only 55 seconds inside the ring with Colombian Breidis Presscot in 2008 in Manchester.

Khan, the former world light-welterweight champion, also was knocked out by Danny Garcia inside four rounds in 2012, and then by Canelo Alvarez in six rounds of a middleweight clash last May.

Pacquiao is 59-6-2 with 38 knockouts but none in the last eight years. If he lands his best shot against Khan, the eight-division champion can end the knockout drought.

Yet, Dela Hoya thinks otherwise.

“I just think that this fight would be a great one. Amir Khan is young, so who knows what might happen in that fight. I wish him all the best,” said Dela Hoya.

The Pacquiao camp said the venue of the fight will be announced this week although the United Arab Emirates, either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, seems to have the inside track.

The UAE group has reportedly offered Pacquiao $38 million, an amount which Top Rank big boss Bob Arum has described as “insane.”

An Internet report also mentioned yesterday a $70 million offer from China for Pacquiao to do a fifth fight with Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez.

However, the 43-year-old Marquez, had said he’s no longer interested in fighting Pacquiao one more time after scoring the huge knockout win over the Filipino in 2012.

Marquez said not even $100 million could lure him to fighting Pacquiao again.

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