Bodog Beat

Boxing's Golden Boy took a royal beating last night in Las Vegas in what was billed as "The Dream Match". Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao instead showed the world that he is indeed the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

Hitting De La Hoya early in the first with right jabs and straight lefts, Pacquiao gained an early lead in a match that oddsmakers had given to De La Hoya. Although bigger than his opponent, the elder De La Hoya appeared to be cowering rather than challenging Pacquiao.

Round after round, Pacquiao dominated with right jabs, straight lefts, right hooks and right uppercuts. Then, during the eighth round, Oscar's left eye had closed completely and his trainer had to tell the referee to stop the fight.

"I had to protect him," trainer Nacho Beristain said. "I had to stop the fight."

With the win, Pacquiao scored one for the little man.

"I knew right way I could win this fight, most likely by a stoppage," Pacquiao said. "I controlled the action. I was able to defend against his jab. I was able to move around."

After the fight, De La Hoya was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure and was unavailable for comment.

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