As promised, Oscar De La Hoya showed up to give Lucas Matthysse an idea on what to expect when he clashes with Manny Pacquiao in their World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title fight on Sunday at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

Looking dapper in white t-shirt under a beige coat and slacks, the 45-year old boxing legend said he’s proud of the kind of fighter Pacquiao has become.

Not only because Pacquiao reached the apex of boxing royalty, but also due to his contribution in shaping the minds of young boxers, De La Hoya said.

De La Hoya and Pacquiao share a special bond.

The American puncher, who is now the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, said he already had an idea of Pacquiao’s special talent when he sent Mexican supremo Marco Antonio Barrera to a slumber in 2003.

De La Hoya was the promoter of that fight and almost lured Pacquiao to his stable that created an avalanche of controversy with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions threatening to press legal charges against the Filipino brawler.

Their paths finally crossed in 2008 when Arum pit Pacquiao against a heavier, more celebrated De La Hoya in a co-promotion project.

It turned out to be the last fight of De La Hoya’s career as Pacquiao clobbered him to submission, punctuated by a very powerful image in which the badly beaten American sat in his corner devastated.

Now that Pacquiao is strolling the twilight of his storied career, De La Hoya made him known how great he was inside and outside the ring.

“At that time, nobody knew who Manny Pacquiao was,” said De La Hoya during the final pre-fight press conference at the Hilton Hotel in the bustling Malaysian capital.

“But after he beat Marco Antonio Barrera, the world knew what Manny Pacquiao was going to become– a champion in eight different divisions, an iconic figure,” he said.

De La Hoya said he has been keeping tabs of Pacquiao’s activities ranging from politics to boxing promotion, business and show business.

They, in fact, are co-promoting this fight, which is expected to draw massive support from both local and foreign audience.

“Manny Pacquiao has become one of the iconic figures that the sport ever had. Why? Because he’s building bridges between countries, he’s attracting the youth to become fighters, to become warriors. He’s giving them hope and opportunity,” De La Hoya said.

“Manny Pacquiao is doing this through his fists. He’s doing this through his heart because he loves to give back,” De La Hoya said throwing a smile at the fighting Senator.

“I really feel that it was your destiny to become the person that you are today. So I salute you,”De La Hoya closed.