Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted The Bull
As monster anticipation builds for Mayweather-De La Hoya, the actual fight may not live up to the hype. If styles, in fact, make fights, this one could be a tactical bore. I see Mayweather sticking and moving a frustrated and slower Oscar on his way to a 12 round boring decision win.One thing is certain; it will not be Hearns-Hagler or Leonard-Hearns….at least in my opinion. I
Hagler-Hearns…
In April 1985, these two participated in a super fight. The formidable Tommy Hearns was a devastating puncher who ruled the welterweight (147 pounds) and cruiserweight (189) divisions through the 80s and 90s. The War was the nickname given by promoter Bob Arum to this fight. At stake were the WBC, WBA, and IBF Middleweight Titles.
Unlike, Tyson-Lewis or Hagler-Leonard, this one lived up to expectations and was indeed a super fight in every sense of the phrase. This was World War One in the trenches. Maybe the most explosive first round in boxing history; simply unbelievable stuff. Many called it the “greatest three rounds in boxing history.” Hearns won the first round in ebb and flow malice aforethought, but Marvelous Marvin won the fight by savage ko in the third putting an end to the unmitigated violence.
Hearns-Leonard…
On September the 16, 1981, Sugar Ray and Tommy Hearns were paid handsomely as they put their titles on the line in an effort to unify the welterweight championship in Las Vegas. This one lived up to its expectations as Ray took an early lead only to surrender momentum to Hearns in a classic ebb and flow battle. With a loss staring him squarely in the eye (Angelo Dundee told him, "your blowing it son, your blowing it!" ), Sugar Ray reached down in the 13th and took it to the exhausted “Hitman” with savage shots both upstairs and to Tommy’s thin body. All of a sudden, Ray became the "Hitman" and decked Tommy. Showing great heart, Tommy held his own in the 14th until Ray cut loose with a big right followed by a brutal volley of unanswered punches to bring matters to a decisive and breathtaking close. Leonard was now the undisputed welterweight champion of the world.
I doubt we will be seeing this on May 5.
This will be no Hagler-Hearns type of fight. If you're looking for something like that, then yes, you will be disappointed. (BTW, I have to list Hagler first. I just have to.)
However, I do not see it as a technical bore. Not at all. De La Hoya is going to stalk Mayweather and, if he does not catch him early, attack him furiously as the fight wears on. This will not turn into a Hagler-Hearns fight simply because it is extremely unlikely that Mayweather will be able to significantly hurt De La Hoya. Floyd will fight to win points and keep Oscar at bay, not to win by ko.
I don't see it happening, but if what some people are predicting is true and Floyd is able to move, evade, and frustrate Oscar enough to win this fight, then it could turn into a back and forth, ebb and flow type of battle as in Hearns-Leonard. Personally, I have difficulty believing that Mayweather could withstand more than one of De La Hoya's flows in order to make this a reality, although I am willing to concede it's possibility.
Honestly, I have felt that this fight is a mismatch from the very beginning. A mismatch in the favor of De La Hoya. As the fight nears, I feel it even more strongly. I believe the world is going to see De La Hoya like we have not seen him in ten years. Agressive, attacking, and determined to take out his weaker opponent in convincing fashion. Mayweather will either succumb, or have to run most of the fight just to survive.
Since I believe it is much more likely Floyd will succumb, I look forward to an exciting fight...while it lasts. If the latter is true, yes, it could turn out to be boring and disappointing. Let's hope.
