He can pick them

Oscar De La Hoya always had a special talent, especially in his early career, for picking safe opponents and ducking those who might have provided a true test for him. He fought has-beens and up-and-comers, carefully selecting from a cornucopia of safe choices.

And when you feel as good as Oscar did (in his prime) beating fighters long past their own, such as Julio Cesar Chavez, and gloat and relish to have punished this man at a time only glimpses of his skill remained, then you know someone is pushing his ego and marketing machine more than his boxing skills could ever have justly allowed.

Now he wants to fight a little guy, Manny Pacquiao, who started out as a straw-weight, to give him the best chance at closing with a win.

How can you respect someone like that?

Michael E. White

Burbank