De La Hoya v Mayweather – can't wait and who wins

DIRT SUGAR · Post by **DIRT SUGAR** » 27 Feb 2007, 13:07

I've the feeling this is going to be a really good fight. PBF looks like he's really got under Oscar's skin and it's the makings of a classic grudge fight.

I really want Oscar to win but have the feeling Mayweather has that extra gear that he just hasn't had to show yet, but then I think back to him getting hurt by De Corley and wonder if he's bitten off more than he can chew... then I start thinking 'hold on' – Oscar can't keep having months/years off and expect to perform to the highest level.

I can't remember a fight where there were so many questions hanging over both mens' heads. I just hope their styles are going to mesh and we're going to get a great fight and not a tactical stand-off like Bernard Hopkins v Jermain Taylor.

I think Mayweather will show how good he really is in this fight.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 27 Feb 2007, 13:23

Oscar.

caster · Post by **caster** » 27 Feb 2007, 16:49

Think Mayweather will nick a points decision, with Oscar coming on strong in final rounds!

Would love Oscar to win though...

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 27 Feb 2007, 16:51

Yep i'm backing Floyd on points...has talent aplenty to bridge the weight gap. Probably a split decision though.

johnswan1 · Post by **johnswan1** » 27 Feb 2007, 16:57

I think this will be an exciting live fight, but that's about it, and only because people know that Oscar could land the punch he needs to finish it at any time. If Mayweather wins a wide points decision as I expect him to, it'll just be a complete anti-climax, the type of fight not even worth watching again. Can't imagine a classic, or anywhere near one. It'll be DLH stalking Floyd around the ring while Mayweather steals the rounds. Occasionaly DLH will flurry as he always does, and this might excite the crowd, but Floyd will be too quick and smart to stand on front of him and let him land anything. Look at the DLH fight against Sweet Pea and you'll see how DLH handles a Mayweather type fighter. But the difference here is that Floyd is in his prime and DLH is not, whereas Sweet Pea was past his and it still went to a close decision. I hope I'm wrong.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 27 Feb 2007, 18:48

I like De La Hoya for this one, even though he has trouble with faster fighters.

I think that Mayweather won't be able to stay away from Oscar for the entire fight, and at some point he'll get caught against the ropes and will be forced to take a few. Mayweather to bag the early rounds, but De La Hoya to catch up with him fairly late.

Andy Mac · Post by **Andy Mac** » 27 Feb 2007, 18:58

Mayweather. Simply because Oscar is now too old, and too inactive.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 27 Feb 2007, 19:19

Really don't know. Think Oscar will find away, but Floyd could be a level above and embarress him. If Floyd embarress Oscar I think the greatest of all time arguement will be put to bed.

I'm a big Oscar fan, will always defend him in an discussion on his career but I have to say as boxing fan and not simply an Oscar fan - I think I have looked forward to his match up with Hopkins and this one with Floyd Mayweather more than possibly any non-heavyweight bout since Leonard vs Hagler.

Oscar certainly knows how to sell a fight.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 27 Feb 2007, 19:42

This is a big big event and the build up will be great but I can never get that excited about a match where one of the fighters can't hurt the other. Given the choice I'd take Cotto v Margarito any day.

I think this might be one of those fights where we could have a good idea of the outcome after 30 seconds of action. I don't think it'll take much longer than to find out if Mayweather can handle someone of such quality who is so much stronger. If he can outbox an opponent in round 1 then he can win a 12 round fight, standard.

But as good as Mayweather is he is giving away a heck of a lot of size here, and De La Hoya looked genuinely fit last time, his best condition in some time. That was not an illusion. The first round will be very interesting.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 27 Feb 2007, 20:22

I do see this as pretty much a 50/50 fight, PBFs natural speed and ability (and being seemingly unbeatable) being countered by DLHs experience and strength/weight advantage.

If I were a betting man though I would plump for a close dull decision for Mayweather in a fight not entirely dissimilar to Trinidad-DLH but with Oscar assuming the Tito role.

As Kilburn says the first round will be very interesting and set the tone, if only to see how their comparative speed matches up.

shoutout · Post by **shoutout** » 28 Feb 2007, 00:55

Goz wrote:I do see this as pretty much a 50/50 fight, PBFs natural speed and ability (and being seemingly unbeatable) being countered by DLHs experience and strength/weight advantage.

If I were a betting man though I would plump for a close dull decision for Mayweather in a fight not entirely dissimilar to Trinidad-DLH but with Oscar assuming the Tito role.

As Kilburn says the first round will be very interesting and set the tone, if only to see how their comparative speed matches up.

like you, i have been calling it a 50/50 fight all along...but the late development of floyd having daddy in his corner, now gives him the edge in my view!!

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 28 Feb 2007, 06:26

Im looking forward to this fight more than any other not involving a brit fighter.... almost on a par with tszyu hatton and calzaghe lacy.

Personally I dont think it'll be a great fight for the non-hardcore fans. I'd wager that 99.9% of the posters on here would really appreciate the chess match type fight this could feasibly turn into. I reckon most of my mates would take a Moore Macklin or a Gatti Ward over it any day. Persaonlly wouldnt sap 10 moore macklins for it, simply because of the historical aspect. This fight could be talked about in 10, 20, 30, 40 years time.

Loynesy · Post by **Loynesy** » 28 Feb 2007, 06:45

For a boxing fan, its a bit like Christmas for a six year old, all in the anticipation.

As I have said on here before, I will be having a very large bet on ODLH in rounds 1,2 and 3. No-one doubts Floyd's movement and fluidness but he looked vulnerable to Baldomirs chopping punches a couple of times, so if it starts off fast expect ODLHs hook (a great punch) to do some damage.

I will post from ringside during the build up if you like.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 28 Feb 2007, 06:48

I've got no problem with a chess match but I like the participants to be the same size.

A chess match that is forced to happen because of one guy being significantly smaller than the other loses some of it's appeal for me. Imagine De La Hoya v Mayweather clashing as 140 pounders, it would surely be a far superior spectacle.

But hey I'm sure I'll stay up on May 5th.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 28 Feb 2007, 07:58

Everyone talk of Hoyas far superior size, but come the 4th of may both fighters will weigh 147lbs. So the playing field wont be that uneven.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Feb 2007, 07:58

I think this issue with Floyd Mayweather Snr also makes this fight interesting. Reading some of the recent articles - I think Oscar's made a very wise decision.... I have doubts if Floyd Snr would have given his best. Apparently Father and son have been continually on the phone for months now.

I don't know why, but I didn't like seeing the pics of Floyd and Floyd back together - apparently, Floyd Snr will be in Floyd Jnr's corner..... How long has this talk of a family devide just been a charade. This is the match Floyd has dreamed for years - how much advice has Floyd Snr given not just now, but actually at the time when he was trained Oscar.

Not nice really.

johnswan1 · Post by **johnswan1** » 28 Feb 2007, 08:45

stujones wrote: If Floyd embarress Oscar I think the greatest of all time arguement will be put to bed.

Hold on. Are you saying that there can't be an argument about Floyd being the greatest of all time if he embarasses a Hall of Famer who will have fought only once in almost three years?

I think that if Floyd beats DLH, most people anticipate it to be a wide decision. It does very little IMO to Mayweathers credentials if he manages to win, even if it's by shut out. People will point to Oscars inactivity. The best fighters are those who beat other greats when both are in their prime. How many of Floyds recent opponents have been past their best? Most of them.

And I also can't see why people are predicting Oscar to come on late and wear Floyd down, particularly considering it is Floyd who is the younger man, not DLH. He might step up his urgency but I don't see him outstaying Mayweather on stamina, who is always super fit, regardless of whether he has a fight coming up or not.

johnswan1 · Post by **johnswan1** » 28 Feb 2007, 08:48

Wales wrote:Everyone talk of Hoyas far superior size, but come the 4th of may both fighters will weigh 147lbs. So the playing field wont be that uneven.

Yes, but the fight will on May 5th, not May 4th, and that's where the size difference would come into play. I thought this was at 154 lbs anyway? Look at the size of Mayweather as a Welter and compare him to the size of Margarito or Kermit Cintron - he's much smaller. When these guys come into the ring they are far over the weight limit while Floyd is only a pound or two, if any.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Feb 2007, 08:59

johnswan1 wrote:
stujones wrote: If Floyd embarress Oscar I think the greatest of all time arguement will be put to bed.
Hold on. Are you saying that there can't be an argument about Floyd being the greatest of all time if he embarasses a Hall of Famer who will have fought only once in almost three years?

I think that if Floyd beats DLH, most people anticipate it to be a wide decision. It does very little IMO to Mayweathers credentials if he manages to win, even if it's by shut out. People will point to Oscars inactivity. The best fighters are those who beat other greats when both are in their prime. How many of Floyds recent opponents have been past their best? Most of them.

And I also can't see why people are predicting Oscar to come on late and wear Floyd down, particularly considering it is Floyd who is the younger man, not DLH. He might step up his urgency but I don't see him outstaying Mayweather on stamina, who is always super fit, regardless of whether he has a fight coming up or not.

Well, as with the Kostya Tszyu vs Hatton scenerio - Oscar is coming off argubally a career best performance (in the top 3). Indeed, I'm not sure that we can say he is shot but more to do with the weight problems at 11stone 6 - cause his rematch "defeat" with Mosley and his win over Vargas are also both up there as his finest performances of his career also.

It will depend on the manner of the win. Of Floyd jabs, moves and runs from the heavier man then yes - I think there will still be a debate, but if Floyd stays in his face and can do what he done to Gatti and beat DLH in EVERY department then you have to ask - who else could have done that.

This is a far bigger fight for Mayweather than it is for Oscar IMO - he has more to gain. If Oscar wins, people will go to the size difference. I don't believe people will consider Oscar's inactivity as a major issue (personally) because of the manner of his performance vs Mayorga. Oscars the man at #154 - certainly with Karmazin losing and he certainly didn't look past it last time and has never had a bad fight at 154.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 28 Feb 2007, 09:03

Of course, sorry its at 154lbs.
Regardless, both fighters will be bang on 154lbs on May 4th.
The advantage gained in the proceeding 24hours needs to be weighed against the disadvantage of the weight loss in the weeks leading up to the fight.
My response was in relation to "significant weight difference" , I dont think there will be more than 7 - 9lbs in it, no different to if margarito fights cotto (I'll wager Margarito will be 7lbs heavier than cotto) or Hatton fighting Witter (I'll also wager ricky would be 7 or so lbs heavier).

Fight of the millenium so far, without doubt. What possible match up is out there that can top it in the next 5 years?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Feb 2007, 09:11

Wales wrote:Of course, sorry its at 154lbs.
Regardless, both fighters will be bang on 154lbs on May 4th.
The advantage gained in the proceeding 24hours needs to be weighed against the disadvantage of the weight loss in the weeks leading up to the fight.
My response was in relation to "significant weight difference" , I dont think there will be more than 7 - 9lbs in it, no different to if margarito fights cotto (I'll wager Margarito will be 7lbs heavier than cotto) or Hatton fighting Witter (I'll also wager ricky would be 7 or so lbs heavier).

Fight of the millenium so far, without doubt. What possible match up is out there that can top it in the next 5 years?

I think the fact it is 154 makes this fight so much more interesting. At 147 the weight difference wouldn't be as significant - but Floyd seems to be at his maximum weight at 147, two drab (by his standards) performances in title fights at 147 indicate this. DLH seems to be having his best performances at 154, despite people saying he is a bulked up Light Welter.

Remember what happend when Oscar fought at the Middleweight limit vs Sturm. He looked fat (even if it was only 6lbs difference), slow and unmobile. He was MUCH better when he fought Hopkins when he was close to the Light Middle limit and I'm sure the 154 lbs version of DLH would have given Sturm a bit of a pasting.

So maybe it would be better for Floyd to weigh in at 147.

SticknMove · Post by **SticknMove** » 28 Feb 2007, 09:18

stujones wrote:
johnswan1 wrote:
stujones wrote: If Floyd embarress Oscar I think the greatest of all time arguement will be put to bed.
Hold on. Are you saying that there can't be an argument about Floyd being the greatest of all time if he embarasses a Hall of Famer who will have fought only once in almost three years?

I think that if Floyd beats DLH, most people anticipate it to be a wide decision. It does very little IMO to Mayweathers credentials if he manages to win, even if it's by shut out. People will point to Oscars inactivity. The best fighters are those who beat other greats when both are in their prime. How many of Floyds recent opponents have been past their best? Most of them.

And I also can't see why people are predicting Oscar to come on late and wear Floyd down, particularly considering it is Floyd who is the younger man, not DLH. He might step up his urgency but I don't see him outstaying Mayweather on stamina, who is always super fit, regardless of whether he has a fight coming up or not.
Well, as with the Kostya Tszyu vs Hatton scenerio - Oscar is coming off argubally a career best performance (in the top 3). Indeed, I'm not sure that we can say he is shot but more to do with the weight problems at 11stone 6 - cause his rematch "defeat" with Mosley and his win over Vargas are also both up there as his finest performances of his career also.

It will depend on the manner of the win. Of Floyd jabs, moves and runs from the heavier man then yes - I think there will still be a debate, but if Floyd stays in his face and can do what he done to Gatti and beat DLH in EVERY department then you have to ask - who else could have done that.

This is a far bigger fight for Mayweather than it is for Oscar IMO - he has more to gain. If Oscar wins, people will go to the size difference. I don't believe people will consider Oscar's inactivity as a major issue (personally) because of the manner of his performance vs Mayorga. Oscars the man at #154 - certainly with Karmazin losing and he certainly didn't look past it last time and has never had a bad fight at 154.

Yes I was taken aback by stu's statement. If PBF beats ODLH in that manner, it would no doubt be a hell of a feat. But it most certainly will not lay to bed the claim of GREATEST of all time. It would perhaps give him consideration as a top ten ATG but no more IMO.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 28 Feb 2007, 09:20

IF Floyd beat Oscar with a fair bit to spare, stops Cotto, outboxes Mosley and busts up Hatton where will people then consider him in the old all time debate?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 28 Feb 2007, 10:19

Wales wrote:Everyone talk of Hoyas far superior size, but come the 4th of may both fighters will weigh 147lbs. So the playing field wont be that uneven.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the fight at at 154? Oscar will probably come in the ring at 158 or so. Floyd will probably weight around 150.

It's not all about size either, it's about height, reach, and how you use those assets. Oscar is used to fighting big, Floyd is not, he fights out of a protective shell most of the time, and so will have serious disadvantages. That doesn't mean he cannot win, but I think he will find it very difficult to potshot oscar.

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 28 Feb 2007, 10:29

Lenny Albert wrote:IF Floyd beat Oscar with a fair bit to spare, stops Cotto, outboxes Mosley and busts up Hatton where will people then consider him in the old all time debate?

Cloud Cuckoo land