INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao has fended off criticisms and disaster scenarios from back home with one sharp counterpunch.

In a report in the newspaper USA Today on Thursday, Pacquiao accused a Filipino politician of trying to gain popularity by criticizing a supposed "mismatch" in his Dec. 6 mega fight with Oscar De La Hoya at the MGM Grand.

"It's just one guy, one politician who has a plan to run for office and wants his name known," Pacquiao told the newspaper.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez called on the government last week to stop Pacquiao from fighting De La Hoya because he risked getting hurt by taller, heftier and more experienced 10-time world champion.

The 29-year-old Filipino superstar, regarded internationally as the best fighter across all weight classes, said that De La Hoya is "not that big" for him.

"He's not that big," said Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Council lightweight champion. "I believe I can handle his power, and he can fight me."

Pacquiao is moving up two weight classes from 135 pounds to face De La Hoya at 147 lb.

The Golden Boy, who towers over the 5-foot-6 Gen. Santos City lefty by four inches at 5-10, last fought in that division in 2001. As a 160-lb challenger, De La Hoya whipped Felix Sturm in 2006 to win the WBO middleweight crown.

Rodriguez used De La Hoya's clear advantages in height, build and firepower to ask the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to suspend Pacquiao's professional boxing license.

"I'm afraid that Oscar can hurt Manny very badly," Rodriguez told reporters. "Manny is a national treasure. If something bad happens to Manny in that fight, it's the government and the GAB that would be blamed."

Pacquiao's American adviser, Michael Konz, admitted that there were also apprehensions in their camp when suggestions for the fight first came up.

"I thought about Oscar being four inches taller and 15 pounds heavier than Manny, and we did our best to talk Manny out of the fight," Konz told USA Today.

The 35-year-old De La Hoya said that a statement by Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach that he "can no longer pull the trigger" was a "challenge" he could not ignore.

"When I read reports from Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao, it's an instant threat. I feel challenged," said De La Hoya.

"Every top athlete looks for that challenge to motivate them. Be ready for a long, fun fight ... because with Pacquiao, there is no boring fight."