Boxing: OSCAR STILL HAS POINT TO PROVE.

BOXING'S most recognisable name takes on the world's best pound-forpound fighter tonight when Oscar De La Hoya meets Manny Pacquiao in a 12-round welterweight bout at the MGM Grand.

The biggest fight of the year so far sees four-weight world champion Pacquiao, who most recently fought at lightweight, moving up in weight with De La Hoya moving down to welterweight for the first time in more than seven years.

Some experts have called the bout a mismatch, considering Pacquiao is jumping two weight classes to meet De La Hoya.

The 'Golden Boy' has a four-inch height advantage and will clearly be the naturally bigger man in the ring.

Yet De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KOs) still feels he has something to prove in the twilight of his career.

The 35-year-old is 3-3 in his last six fights, which includes a unanimous decision over Steve Forbes on May 3.

"It's important that I prove to myself that I can beat a young, hungry lion like Manny Pacquiao and the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world," De La Hoya said.

Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs) is an aggressive fighter who should have an advantage with his speed to make up for his lack of size.

The 29-year-old has won his last eight fights, five coming by knockout, including a ninth-round stoppage of David Diaz on June 28 to capture the WBC lightweight title.

"Twenty years from now, 30, 40 years, I want my name to be at the top of boxing history," Pacquiao said.