De La Hoya needs liver transplant... Hopkins KO 9

lirva33 · Post by **lirva33** » 19 Sep 2004, 00:44

What a shot by the executioner.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 19 Sep 2004, 06:12

I knew i should have gone with the obvious choice in the prediction league. I said throughout the build up that it could be a re-run of Hopkins vs Joppy (speed advantage negated by Joppy being drawn eventually into Hopkin's type of fight), but instead of going with conventional wisdom, i went with who i wanted to win.

Great performance by Hopkins though, he was patient through the early stages, but when De La Hoya slowed and became a more static target, Nard just stepped it up and dominated Oscar.

It's my opinion that DLH should retire now. Although he didn't get beaten up, i can't see that he'll be able to be as motivated for any other fight out there, as he was for this one. Hopkins on the other hand, why does he talk about 20 defences, and yet call out Tarver or Jones? Neither can get down to middle, and if he's only going to fight till 40 then it doesn't leave him alot of time to fit in more than one fight. My gut feeling is still that he'll end up against the winner of Trinidad vs Mayorga.

Smit · Post by **Smit** » 19 Sep 2004, 06:53

I believe Hopkins said

"I told my mother that I wouldn't fight past 40 but I'd love to carry on and fight Roy Jones again and come back and do my last defence as a middleweight. If not Roy Jones, bring on Antonio Tarver."

So he will go up in weight for a fight then back to Middleweight for a defense.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 19 Sep 2004, 08:25

I thought it was an enjoyable fight with some nice techniqcal skills showned by both fighters, which was a joy to watch, you could really see both of them trying to figure the other one out.

De La Hoya put up a great fight I thought, he didn't run like many thought but stood his ground and caught Hopkins with some good shots. Hopkins fought an intelligent patient fight to prove he is THE man at 160lbs. Once he sensed De La Hoya was slowing down he started to apply the pressure. The finishing left hook was a beauty and would have finished most fighter.

This fight will help Hopkins to be recognised as a great Middleweight Champion.

However this lose for De La Hoya should not lessen his greatness I feel, he put up a good fight, wasn't beaten up or given a Boxing lesson, he just fought a class fighter who was too big for him. Like they say "A good big one will always beat a good little one". At least De La Hoya (a former Super-Featherweight) had the guts to try.

After all does anyone think any less of Henry Armstrong for failing to beat Ceferino Garcia for the Middleweight Title?

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 19 Sep 2004, 08:31

What a wanker Larry Merchant is having DLH ahead.

That was bollocks.

Jedi Knight · Post by **Jedi Knight** » 19 Sep 2004, 08:37

Both fighters fought well in an exiting chess match. That punch must have been one of the best BH had thrown because I have never seen DLH in nearly that sort of pain.

BH said he wants his 20th defence so he probably won't retire just yet.

Oscar is a very proud man, he won't want to finish his career on a loss so I would say he'll come back. Don't quite know against who though..

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 19 Sep 2004, 08:40

He should go bak to welter. He can make that weight surely.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 19 Sep 2004, 08:45

Bernard Hopkins Vs Winky Wright anyone?

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 19 Sep 2004, 09:04

Smit wrote:I believe Hopkins said

"I told my mother that I wouldn't fight past 40 but I'd love to carry on and fight Roy Jones again and come back and do my last defence as a middleweight. If not Roy Jones, bring on Antonio Tarver."
So he will go up in weight for a fight then back to Middleweight for a defense.

Aaah. I've been hearing things then, proof positive that a power-nap and a handful of pro-plus isn't the best policy for early morning viewing.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 19 Sep 2004, 09:07

i think delahoya should fight either tito trinidad or Mosley in a third fight next.

i would go to both

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 19 Sep 2004, 09:38

:P

maverick · Post by **maverick** » 19 Sep 2004, 10:07

Southpaw Stylist wrote:

What a wanker Larry Merchant is having DLH ahead

fornicate knows what fight he was watching.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 19 Sep 2004, 12:09

I stuck a fiver on a draw at bluesquare.com (20/1). Hopkins coming in at 11st 2lbs astonished me and made it essentially a light-middleweight fight. But, as with Danny Williams coming in at a career-heaviest against Tyson, the weight served as a distraction. Hopkins can fight inside. De La Hoya can't.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 19 Sep 2004, 19:42

Good first post on this thread KO Joe 90, completely agree. I actually think both fighters actually enhanced their reputations following this fight. Hopkins has probably just secured his career best (or second) win on paper. DLH, on the other hand was doing well up untill the KO, I had him a round up but certainly being slowly taken over. DLH showed that he can at the very least be competitive vs the elite in the devision (something of which I had my doubts following the June performance).

I can't recall anybody, who Hopkins has beaten as a champ, being as competitive with him (at such a late stage) as DLH, something he must take heart from should he wish to continue.

As far as their futures, I can see Trinidad vs Hopkins II happening and I can see the old man dominating in equally convincing fashion again. I then think he will retire. Tarver or Jones is unlikely to happen in my opinion.

As for Osssscar (in homage to Adam Smith), I don't really want him to retire on this sad note (I really felt for him when he was banging the canas disgusted with himself). I would like to see him move back down to Light Middle and maybe fight for a version of the world title (Simms, Phillips or Santos) and then a unification fight with the Moseley vs Wright II winner. That would be a good way to end his career (win, lose or draw).

However, I wouldn't necessarily say that a rematch with Hopkins would be the wrong option. However, he needs to fire Mayweather quick sharp, the guy is piss poor. HE was sapping DLH's strength along with Hopkins by raising his arms during the minutes break - and as Jim and Ian said his advice was poor. DLH should try and patch things up with Robert Alcazaar(who, in my opinion, was sacked for causing less harm than what Mayweather is doing).

I think DLH fought brave last night, but not necessaily smart. As Johnny Nelson said once of Eubank "He is trying to look good losing as opposed to winning no matter how bad you look". I do believe DLH has the tools to operate a similar tactic to Sugar Ray Leonard vs Hagler, which is what he needed. I was surprised to see how well DLH took Hopkins' shots for the most part of the fight, if he would have fought a little smarter he could have won. Something I wouldn't have thought I would be saying in June.

DLH has alot of decision to make as he enters probably his final two fights of his career - Light Middle or another crack at the big one, I'm not really sure which one it should be (A Hopkins rematch would be so much better for his legacy, but its a huge - but winnable - gamble). However, the first thing he NEEDS to do is find a replacement for Mayweather. If he is intend on keeping Mayweather, then he needs to fight Moseley - because I can't see Mayweather being good enough to guide him through Wright.