Tuesday, September 2 2008 -- Finally, the biggest boxing match of the year has been set. World no. 1 pound for pound champ Manny Pacquiao and the Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya are finally facing each other on the ring come December 6, Saturday, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The bout which will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View will be a non-title fight of 12 rounds contested at the 147-pound welterweight limit. The deal came through after several weeks of negotiations with the promoters of both boxers, de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Productions and Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank Inc.

Both champions have expressed their eagerness to get in the ring, with de la Hoya heard as saying, "Manny Pacquiao is considered the best fighter in boxing today and I always want to fight the best. I am glad we were able to make this fight happen because while Pacquiao is at the pinnacle of his success and has defeated all of the top fighters he has faced, I am going to show the world that it stops with me.

Manny Paquiao, for his part, expressed his eagerness to face de la Hoya and win another fight for his country. “"This is my greatest challenge. When I take that walk to the ring to fight Oscar, I will carry all the people of The Philippines - the entire country - on my shoulders. I promise I will fight with all of my heart and that I will give everything I have.”

The whole world is raring to go as well. With two of the world’s most celebrated boxing champions on the ring, this fight is surely something that will have the world glued to their TV sets on December 6.