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Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather have reached an agreement to fight on May 5. The fight was finalized today. The bout will be promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. "We are not going to comment what the deal is," Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told Fightnews.com. "It's a fair deal and if the pay-per-view hits the numbers which we anticipate it will, it will be new record payday for both guys.....It's going to be big. It's clearly the biggest fight in boxing and I think it's the kind of fight which will transcend and which will clearly capture the interest of the American public and the American sports fans, because it is Mayweather pound-for-pound number one fighter in the sport against Oscar, the most popular and biggest name in the sport. Actually I was looking today at Oscar's trophy case in our office and I was standing in front of one of the belts which was a ring belt that had 'Oscar De La Hoya, pound for pound' on it, and it was 1997. So here we are ten years later and the question is, can he do it again?"


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"Oscar realizes this is a dangerous fight," continued Schaefer. "He realizes that he's going in as the underdog, but this is what exactly motivates him, this is what gets him going, this is what he is about and what his entire career is all about. Always going for the biggest challenges. I think that was what his active career was that what he'll be remembered for. The guy who always took on the biggest and the best."

What bloody weight is it at? I cant find an article with this information.

Assuming its at 154lbs................

Its De La Hoya all the way, i cannot see him loosing this fight. I expect a comfortable win for him, most like'ly by KO, and probably inside the first 6 rounds! Chew on that!!

I believe that De La Hoya probably cannot believe his luck here! He's going to get a lot of respect for beating the undisputed P4P no.1 and possibly his biggest ever pay day, and for what, fighting a much smaller guy he knows cannot hurt him. De La Hoya knows he's got his number, i'm sure of it!


If its at 147lbs..............

He's not fought at welterweight for almost 6 years (Gatti fight) and questions must be asked about his stregnth/durabilty at this weight. I think he would be badly weight drained and not at his best, but i still see him being victorious!

If this fight goes ahead, I doubt it will be at 147 lbs and fancy Oscar to win.

Is the Golden One trying to tell us he's the underdog now? Oscar fighting against all odds?

He's got the clout & will no doubt insist on 154 ( which PBF, with his massive ego, will accept ) in which case, Floyd is the big underdog, not ODH.

At 147 it's a different story....that's the weight it should be at any rate - making it a superfight, with PBF maybe a slight favorite.

At 154 it's a mismatch.

Who about a SRL-style catchweight of 150lbs? That would be the best bet for this fight.

In terms of financial/marketing appeal this fight is the biggest out there - it will grab the imagination of the general public and I for one am actually quite looking forward to it.

To be fair, whilst I can see what you guys are saying about the 8lb differential suiting DLH, I think at 154 lbs both guys will probably see advantages at.

DLH will obviously feel he will be the stronger man, Mayweather sees the opportunity of becoming a 5 weight world champion.

I don't see it as a mismatch whatever the weight, Mayweather is too good at 147 to show that his skills would be competitive against any Light Middleweight champion, even the best one.

If it were at 154, then floyd could come in at about 150, no sense in him piling on extra weight on his frame when it is speed not strength he is looking for.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:If it were at 154, then floyd could come in at about 150, no sense in him piling on extra weight on his frame when it is speed not strength he is looking for.

A point illistrated by De La Hoya vs Sturm, he looked shit at 160lbs, but much better when he came in at 155lbs vs Nard despite losing.

I'm glad this has been agreed, lets hope it stays together for the next 6 months. I assume Mayweather can't have a fight in the interim.

I wonder where the venue will be, want to get my flight, hotel and ticket booked well in advance!

BBC -

Mayweather will risk his unbeaten record against De la Hoya
The much-anticipated bout between Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather will happen next May, according to reports.
De la Hoya, 33, told ESPN.com that the bout on 5 May 2007, was a "done deal".

Mayweather, who won the WBC welterweight title earlier this month, will step up to light middleweight for what he says will be his last fight.

It will be a lucrative final payday for the 29-year-old against De la Hoya, who has won 10 titles in six divisions but who has not fought since last May.

Terms were not revealed but both sides said that their fighters will make career-high purses, which means $25m+ (£13m+) for De la Hoya and in excess of $10m (£5.25m) for Mayweather.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told the website that the fight would take place in either Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

De la Hoya, who was an Olympic gold medallist in 1992, was last in the ring back in May when he claimed the WBC light middleweight crown from Ricardo Miyorga in a vintage display in Las Vegas.

Mayweather, who has won five titles in four divisions, outclassed Carlos Baldomir to win the WBC welterweight title on 4 November in the same city.

The American remains unbeaten in his 37 fights and said after beating Baldomir that his next bout would be his last.

De la Hoya is trained by Mayweather's estranged father and said he would understand if Floyd senior felt too uncomfortable to be in his corner.

"I will sit down and talk about this," said De la Hoya. "I want us both to be comfortable with the situation.

"But I am prepared if he says no to me. I am prepared to move on and get somebody else."

stujones wrote:To be fair, whilst I can see what you guys are saying about the 8lb differential suiting DLH, I think at 154 lbs both guys will probably see advantages at.

I can't see ANY advantages in this deal for Floyd, other than a lot of cash. Oscar has a major weight advantage: he's fighting a blown up light welter, two divisions up, plus probably getting more than twice as much money.

Yes, Floyd will need to come in at 147, but he's going to be holding off Oscar with a pea shooter.

I may well splash out for this one and head to Vegas. I'll bet it's on Cinqo de Mayo, which is an absolutely huge night in Vegas, this is one to definetly make the effort for.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I may well splash out for this one and head to Vegas. I'll bet it's on Cinqo de Mayo, which is an absolutely huge night in Vegas, this is one to definetly make the effort for.

Yes it is, I've heard that's why DLH wanted it on that date in May. I'd probably head over myself for it. Never been to the States so no better time to go. Maybe closer to the time we should arrange a gang from here to go across and try to get some discounts on transport & accomodation.

I'm more interested in Cotto-Quintana

johnswan1 wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I may well splash out for this one and head to Vegas. I'll bet it's on Cinqo de Mayo, which is an absolutely huge night in Vegas, this is one to definetly make the effort for.

Yes it is, I've heard that's why DLH wanted it on that date in May. I'd probably head over myself for it. Never been to the States so no better time to go. Maybe closer to the time we should arrange a gang from here to go across and try to get some discounts on transport & accomodation.

There's some guy from Citiboxer who organised these group trips as I recall who comes on here. Forget who it was now.

dopey wrote:I wonder where the venue will be, want to get my flight, hotel and ticket booked well in advance!

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, USA...

This fight is going to be HUGE.

MightyWarrior wrote:Is the Golden One trying to tell us he's the underdog now? Oscar fighting against all odds?

He's got the clout & will no doubt insist on 154 ( which PBF, with his massive ego, will accept ) in which case, Floyd is the big underdog, not ODH.

At 147 it's a different story....that's the weight it should be at any rate - making it a superfight, with PBF maybe a slight favorite.

At 154 it's a mismatch.

Well said.


DLH is not taking any risk at 154.


W-anker.

DG. wrote:

MightyWarrior wrote:Is the Golden One trying to tell us he's the underdog now? Oscar fighting against all odds?

He's got the clout & will no doubt insist on 154 ( which PBF, with his massive ego, will accept ) in which case, Floyd is the big underdog, not ODH.

At 147 it's a different story....that's the weight it should be at any rate - making it a superfight, with PBF maybe a slight favorite.

At 154 it's a mismatch.

Well said.


DLH is not taking any risk at 154.


W-anker.

What? He's making the best fight available. DLH hasn't seen Welter in years I really doubt he could make 147 comfortably. No shame in having the fight at 154. Floyd has advantages of youth and activity to combat DLH's size.

MightyWarrior wrote:

stujones wrote:To be fair, whilst I can see what you guys are saying about the 8lb differential suiting DLH, I think at 154 lbs both guys will probably see advantages at.

I can't see ANY advantages in this deal for Floyd, other than a lot of cash. Oscar has a major weight advantage: he's fighting a blown up light welter, two divisions up, plus probably getting more than twice as much money.

Yes, Floyd will need to come in at 147, but he's going to be holding off Oscar with a pea shooter.

Blown up Light Welter?.

More like blown up lightweight!

PBF was small at LT Welter!


DLH does it again..

Fools most!


Not me - fight at 147 and then even fight.

Why not just make it at Middleweight?.




:x

nickd wrote:

DG. wrote:

MightyWarrior wrote:Is the Golden One trying to tell us he's the underdog now? Oscar fighting against all odds?

He's got the clout & will no doubt insist on 154 ( which PBF, with his massive ego, will accept ) in which case, Floyd is the big underdog, not ODH.

At 147 it's a different story....that's the weight it should be at any rate - making it a superfight, with PBF maybe a slight favorite.

At 154 it's a mismatch.

Well said.


DLH is not taking any risk at 154.


W-anker.

What? He's making the best fight available. DLH hasn't seen Welter in years I really doubt he could make 147 comfortably. No shame in having the fight at 154. Floyd has advantages of youth and activity to combat DLH's size.

Make the fight at 150 then?

PBF weighed in at 147 for Baldimor.. The next NIGHT he was 149!

The boy most likely walks around 152lbs.

Mismatch at this weight!


DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE!


Mismatch at 154...

Its nothing like a mismatch that is just ridiculous.

Most definately the biggest fight out there at the moment given the reputations of the fighters involved.

I don't want to the prophet of doom, but potentially this event could be a big disappointment too. You have a smaller guy with little proven power at the weight who relies on amazing footspeed and reflexes against an inactive bigger guy who may or may not choose to chase him down for 12 rounds. If ODLH decides to stand off and use his own speed combined with longer reach to counterpunch the counterpuncher we could be in for an interesting albeit anticlimactic affair. PBF will obviously look to pot shot and move a la Baldomir, but I can't see him allowing the fight to stay at close quarters as he did at times in that fight. ODLH will not want to go chasing shadows either, so my guess is that he will try to mix it up a bit standing off at times and forcing the issue when the opportunities arise.

Really looking forward to this one. I hope my fears are not realised and we have a superfight that lives up to the billing and hype.

MightyWarrior wrote:

stujones wrote:To be fair, whilst I can see what you guys are saying about the 8lb differential suiting DLH, I think at 154 lbs both guys will probably see advantages at.

I can't see ANY advantages in this deal for Floyd, other than a lot of cash. Oscar has a major weight advantage: he's fighting a blown up light welter, two divisions up, plus probably getting more than twice as much money.

Yes, Floyd will need to come in at 147, but he's going to be holding off Oscar with a pea shooter.

Well there is the thought of being a 154 lbs champion. Size wise, DLH and Spinks are the smallest 154 champion. Thats a pretty big insentive for Floyd.

Not sure DLH would particularly think it is worth going to struggle to make 147 to fight Mayweather for a belt he onced owned with some distinction. Likewise, I don't think Mayweather will like to put his title on the line against his most dangerous challenger (sorry Margarito/Cotto/Hatton fans) without "gaining" something other than cash.