Certainly agree about the best boxing being Latin and lower weights. Though the biggest tickets and paydays could be argued. De la Hoya was 3rd all time in receipts before this fight behind Hollyfield and Tyson with something like 490 million. He should have surpassed them with ease with this fight. Lewis was a one of the best technical boxers in his weight division, but sadly there was nobody really to fight. The boxing arena is in its death throes. When De la Hoya actually retires, it may well join up with UFC.
Sad to have watched this fight because it was Hoya's fight to win. He had spurts of aggression but never really pressed the action. Same story with many of his later fights. He got Mayweather's attention in the second round but did not come out strong in the 3rd. Mayweather's punches may have speed and accuracy but they couldn't break wind. After the fight, you could clearly see no marks on Hoya's face while Floyd's right eye was puffy. Pity Hoya didn't bother to pursue his left jab and where was the famous left hook? Very disappointed in this fight, but think the $ will bring them both out. Either that or Trinidad will come back for round two with Hoya.
we got a few of us chipped in and oscar was the better boxer and i think was up 2 rounds heading into the last 3 or 4. then lost 3 of the 4. coulda been a draw and likely was but you cant lose at the end in the judges eyes as you have to finish strong. mayweather did. if oscar had anything left at all he wins. he controlled the fight most of the way. not sure what espn judges were watching. not sure why oscar abandoned his jab. mayweather was lost when he had it working. funny thing is i thought mayweather would win with his jab and outpunch oscar. he outscored him late but thats about it. 2 rounds coulda been a draw. the 6th and the 9th i think. good fight but oscar was the aggressor and the title holder. you usually have to knock out the champ to win.
Interesting that Floyd senior said the De la Hoya won, if it were merely being scored on points. Of course, Floyd is also still getting paid by Golden Boy Promotions to train another fighter. I just have not seen Hoya use his jab effectively in years, coincidently since he changed trainers to Floyd Sr. Granted he picked up incredible defense but what better defense than a lightning jab? I don't know, just a bit disappointed in this fight. Don't think I saw De la Hoya's best effort, and really don't get the "best pound for pound" moniker hung on Mayweather. I appreciate his skills, but his punches just don't scare me and apparently have little lasting effect. The only sure thing this fight delivered, as so many others, was how drunk Larry Merchant got. Always fun to listen to his slide into the bottle on air and then at the end of the fight to see an announcer that's way more "punch drunk" than any of the fighters. Way to go Larry...:thumb::thumb:
I love how this was the fight to save boxing (and I hope it does come back), but seriously, 99% of people couldn't tell you one person these two fighters have boxed against in their lives. Boxing is dead. Maybe Tiger Woods can switch sports.
Scotty is thinking like Jeff Spicoli on Fast Times at Ridgemont High......."Our time, Mr. Hands". :hihi:
Some people have all the luck! I didn't mean that as a dig though, just that Scotty overlooked your location. :thumb:
We watched this fight at my lake house last night and all were pretty dis-satisfied. It was just an OK fight, not great...not horrible. We were expecting more. DLH could easily have won this fight but he didnt jab enough and lost all the late rounds except maybe the 12th. We all pretty much had it dead even after 8 and was looking for some better action in the last 4 rounds but it didnt happen. Oscar was probably a little tired from chasing Floyd because he ran all freakin night. Floyd's punches were fast but weak. It was evident Floyd didnt want to get hit or trade punches. I was surprised at that. He appeared much smaller too. All the talk about Mayweather being the best pound for pound fighter is bull. Maybe he was stepping up too much in weight, I dont know, but he didnt impress me last night. He looked much better in other fights. All in all, a very average fight that didnt live up to the hype. Which is typical for boxing.
