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Well, its fast approaching. The richest non heavyweight fight in boxing history will take place tonight.
In one corner we have brash challenger Floyd Mayweather Jnr, 1996 US Olympian, world champion in four weight divisions and unbeaten in 37 professional fights spanning 10 and a half years.
Opposing him, fellow American and boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, 1992 Olympian, world champion in six weight divisions and beaten only four times in a glittering 14 and a half year career.
It’s a fight that could have only have one venue and city. The MGM Grand Garden Hotel in Las Vegas will host this megabucks battle and Mayweather Jnr will bid to join the likes of Hearns and Leonard as one of the select few to win world titles in five different divisions. But can he?
Say what you want about both Mayweather and De La Hoya but you cannot deny that they have fought the best available opposition and both have never ducked anyone.
In a career that commenced in 1992, De La Hoya has beaten the likes of Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker, Hector Camacho, Ike Quartey, Arturo Gatti, Yory Boy Campas, Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga. And thats just the tip of the iceberg.
Mayweather’s merits include victories over Genaro Hernandez, Diego Corrales, Jesus Chavez, Joe Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Sharmba Mitchell, Zab Judah and Carlos Baldomir. Again, many other names could be mentioned.
So come May 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada, it’s time to put up or shut up.
Will light middleweight be a step too far for Mayweather? Will Floyd Mayweather Jnr be a step too far for a 34 year old Oscar De la Hoya? Can Mayweather avoid the lethal De La Hoya left hook and can De La Hoya cope with the speed and defensive acumen of the challenger?
When the fight was orginally announced, I immediately sided with De La Hoya. I felt light middleweight might be too much for Mayweather to carry on a 5 foot 8 inch frame, much like 160 pounds was too much for De La Hoya against Felix Sturm and Bernard Hopkins.
However, as the months have passed and fight night approaches, I’m becoming more and more convinced that Mayweather can pull out the win. He’s certainly been the man doing all the talking and there’s no doubt that he’s gotten under The Golden Boy’s skin.
I’m really torn picking a winner for this one because it’s definitely one that both men can win. De La Hoya has shown that when someone tries to talk the talk with him he does his verbals in the ring. See his fights against Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga for examples.
However, Mayweather is no Vargas or Mayorga and I feel that come fight time, he can back up the bravado and pull off a points win sending De La Hoya back into retirement.
