Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather
Saturday night’s fight is one of the biggest matches in boxing. The promotional campaign has been tremendous that it will become the biggest pay-per-view sales in the history of boxing. It is not in the heavyweight rank but what we are about to witness are the two biggest names in boxing today.
Oscar De La Hoya, a 10-time world champion, is the most acclaimed boxer of his era but seeks one more victory to gild his Hall of Fame career.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., a five-time world champion, is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport yet craves the world’s recognition. Saturday night in Las Vegas, the two face off in a super welterweight bout that may be the last great fight in boxing for some time.
What makes Oscar De La Hoya great? His ability to land that punishing left hook that has felled so many opponents over the last fifteen years.
What makes Floyd Mayweather great? His ability to not allow a punch like that anywhere near him. This is a fight De La Hoya cannot win. At 34, De La Hoya does not have the hand speed to win match the flurry of punches that the 30-year old Mayweather will throw at him. De La Hoya’s recent history is not encouraging either. Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga, DeLa Hoya’s last two victims, were both stationary fighters who challenged De La Hoya in the center of the ring. Mayweather won’t do that; he’ll bob and weave and frustrated Oscar until the super welterweight champ gives him in opening to score.