FILE – Manny Pacquiao (R) hits Oscar De La Hoya in the fifth round of their welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena December 6, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—Throughout Manny Pacquiao’s legendary boxing career, his performance against Oscar De La Hoya was arguably his most spectacular one of all.
On Monday, it marked exactly 13 years since Pacquiao defied the odds in a masterclass that forced De La Hoya, an all-time great, to quit on his stool and into retirement.
“December 6, 2008: 13 years ago today, I had the privilege in sharing the ring with one of my favorite fighters ever, @oscardelahoya,” Pacquiao wrote on his Instagram.
“Winning that fight as a huge underdog reminded me that with hard work, belief in oneself, and most importantly, trust in God, anything is possible! I hope that moment in my boxing career will inspire others when they are facing a Goliath in their lives.”
Although, Pacquiao was already among the top fighters in the sport before the De La Hoya bout, it was his eight-round demolition of “The Golden Boy” that catapulted him to superstardom.
Pacquiao went on to become the first and still the only eight-division boxing champion.
He retired last August following a shock loss to Yordenis Ugas to focus on his political career.