For Oscar dela Hoya to agree on a huge $3-million fine is a very strong sign that he can make 147 pounds for his Dec. 6 showdown with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

“We see that he’s confident, for him to agree on the amount,” said Pacquiao’s legal counsel, Franklin Gacal, yesterday morning after talking with Bob Arum.

“Otherwise, the money goes straight to Manny’s pocket,” he said.

Gacal was just informed that Dela Hoya has agreed to a fine of $3 million or P135 million for a pound or a fraction thereof in excess of 147 pounds during the weigh-in.

“Oscar has agreed that the penalty will be $3-million for every pound or a fraction in excess. We insisted on it and we said we won’t fight him if he doesn’t agree” said Gacal.

“Will Oscar dela Hoya make 147 or not is a $3 million question. This is one big reason for the fans to come and see the weigh-in. It’s quite interesting,” said Gacal.

The Pacquiao camp had previously asked for a fine of $750,000 but early this month they changed their line, and sought a huge increase on the amount.

“$750,000 is peanuts for Oscar dela Hoya. He may be more than willing to pay $750,000 (per pound) and come in at 150-plus during the weigh-in,” said Gacal.

The Pacquiao camp had originally wanted the weigh-in to be held on the day of the fight to deny Dela Hoya the luxury of loading up and replenishing himself for the fight.

But they dropped the plan.

“We did not pursue it anymore because Oscar may not agree on that. It may be too much for us to ask for a same-day weigh-in,” said Gacal.

Dela Hoya said he can make 147 pounds, adding a few days ago he’s just a little over 150, and that he doesn’t plan to add even 10 pounds after the weigh-in.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, plans to tip the scales at 142 to 145 pounds and climb the ring at under 150. He wants to start training in the US on the second week of September.

The fight, tipped to earn $100 million in revenue, will be formally launched on Oct. 1 with a promo gig at the Statue of Liberty in Liberty Island in New York.

When Pacquiao fought Erik Morales in January of 2006, a similar clause was stated in the contract, one that required the Mexican to shell out $250,000 for every pound in excess of the limit of 130 lbs.

In the third fight between Morales and Pacquiao, the penalty was increased to $500,000 if the Mexican weighed from 130.1 to 131 lbs, and to $1 million if he weighed more than 131 lbs.

On both occasions, Morales drained himself to make 130, and escape the penalty, but on both occasions, he lost – by knockout.