MANILA, Philippines?More than speed, Manny Pacquiao must work very hard to protect himself from Oscar De La Hoya?s ?big punches.?

Sugar Ray Leonard, a major star during boxing?s heady days in the 80s, offered that nugget of wisdom to the Filipino hero who is chasing destiny against the taller, bigger and richer Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The now 52-year-old champion in five divisions at a time when the likes of Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler ruled the boxing world predicted a short bout if Pacquiao fails to take cover from the long arms of the Golden Boy.

?You will see Oscar?s jab knocks Pacquiao back, it?s going to be a pretty short night. This whole thing is offense,? Leonard told boxingscene.com. ?Pacquiao?s game is offense, throwing repeated punches. He?s like a little Tasmanian Devil. He?s nonstop.

?But will those punches hurt Oscar? Oscar will be in pretty good damn shape himself. He?s been hit by big guys, and I don?t foresee Pacquiao hurting Oscar. Sting him. But hurt him? No.?

Pacquiao is climbing two rungs higher from his triumphant WBC lightweight campaign last June and will meet the 35-year-old De La Hoya at 147 lbs. The Golden Boy last fought at the agreed weight in 2001.

?I fought Donny Lalonde (for the WBC light heavyweight crown in 1988) and forget how they rate him as a light heavyweight champion. Every time he hit me, he hurt me. I could feel the difference, and I think Pacquiao will feel the difference of size and strength, and just that overall big guy,? said Leonard.

Leonard, the 1976 Olympics gold winner in the light welter class, defeated Duran (WBC welter in 1980), Hearns (WBA welter, 1981) and Hagler (WBC middleweight, 1987) using his speed, flair and charisma, which he said, Pacquiao possesses.

He said Pacquiao must take the fight right to De La Hoya or else he will suffer at the hands of the 10-time six division champ who will use his 73-inch reach?six inches longer than those of Pacquiao?to his advantage.

?It?s very hard to assess, because which Oscar?s going to get into the ring? Will it be the Oscar of thirty five years old, or will it be a renewed Oscar that?s all of a sudden rejuvenated,? said Leonard.