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The Golden Boy – A Living Legend, A Fighter In The Twilight Of His Career
Oscar has always had the word “retirement” on his lips, but up until now, it was probably the last thing on his mind. When boxing’s Golden Boy came back from his shocking knockout loss to Bernard Hopkins, many were left wondering if De La Hoya still had that certain something that allowed him to stay atop the boxing world for so long. In May, all questions were put to rest with a six round TKO victory over his nemesis, Ricardo Mayorga, to take the WBC light middleweight crown.
After the celebration, the thought of the end still loomed until De La Hoya once again answered all questions by revealing that he will take one last fight before retiring. Although he has dropped a couple of names, and rumors have run rampant, nothing has been set in stone yet.
This article hopes to weigh the pros and cons of De La Hoya’s many appealing options for his final appearance in the ring. The following are the most likely candidates for Oscar’s last dance.
“Sugar” Shane Mosley: In the year 2000, Mosley made his biggest mark on the boxing world by beating De La Hoya for the first time. It was a 12 round split decision that saw Mosley outclassing the Golden Boy, giving Shane WBC Welterweight gold. In 2003, they did it again in the light middleweight division, but the outcome remained the same; a decision in favor of “Sugar”. Although another go-round would be appealing, Oscar has said he wants to go out on top. A final win over an aging Mosley simply would not get him there. But after Oscar’s recent win over Mayorga, and Mosley’s over Vargas, a third fight could generate interest just on it’s history alone.
Cory Spinks: After being knocked out by Zab Judah in 2005 and losing the Unified Welterweight Championship crown, “Next Generation” rebounded by decisioning Roman Karmazin to take the IBF Light Middleweight title in July. Although he holds a title, Spinks isn’t particularly highly regarded by boxing fans outside of his hometown. Beating Spinks could give De La Hoya a title and a win over a legitimate fighter, but it would not allow him to go out with a bang, the thing he seems to want most.
Winky Wright: When Shane Mosley beat De La Hoya for the second time, he was regarded as the best around until he ran into the lightly heralded Winky Wright. Wright rose from relative obscurity to stun Mosley two consecutive times. Winky then went on to easily outpoint Felix Trinidad, and gain a highly contested draw with middleweight champ Jermain Taylor. Wright is now regarded as the number two man on the pound-for-pound list, and his tank-like defense is labeled second to none. A win over stablemate Winky Wright, could give Oscar the last hoorah he wants, but he would have to go through hell to get it.
Antonio Margarito: This fight seems highly unlikely but considering Margarito’s recent wave of fame, I’m sure it has crossed De La Hoya’s mind. Margarito has held the WBO Welterweight Championship ever since it was vacated in 2002, but only recently has struck a chord with boxing fans all over the world. After Floyd Mayweather Jr. turned down a lucrative offer to face the Tijuana native, Margarito was labeled as boxing’s most avoided fighter. De La Hoya has stated he would fight his last fight at welterweight, although recent reports claim that light middleweight would be his target. De La Hoya could gain a title and stop a hot prospect in his tracks, but the fact remains: Margarito is still unproven. A win over Margarito could help very little in De La Hoya’s bid for a legendary send-off.
Floyd Mayweather Jr: This is the fight that the boxing world, along with Mayweather himself, has been begging for. De La Hoya has already said that Mayweather would be the only opponent that he would take on for his final bout. Mayweather, regarded by many as the best boxer in the world, has used his technical abilities to stay undefeated his entire career and collect titles in four different weight classes along the way. A loss to Mayweather would not hurt Oscar as much as losing to the others mentioned, because after all, what’s the shame in losing to the best? But if De La Hoya were to pull off the win, he would go out as a modern day hero, ending Mayweather’s pompous reign at the top.
While there are many options De La Hoya can pursue, he has to ultimately choose one. With all the thrilling memories he has given us, he deserves the going away party he wants. One question remains though; Does he simply want to go out as a winner by taking on an easier opponent or does he want to make one last grasp for that brass ring and gamble on his retirement match? Only one man knows the answer.
Whoever Oscar decides to face will undoubtedly make the most money of his career, but still, at the end of the day, that fighter will have to step into the ring with a legend. He would have to trade punches with a past-his-prime fighter whose career is ending, but a fighter who also possesses the skill to end his as well. De La Hoya won’t be the only guy wagering the farm on one roll of the dice.
