De La Hoya to announce decision over PBF TODAY!!!

http://forums.doghouseboxing.com/ind...howtopic=63129

Will De La Hoya retire or fight Mayweather? We'll find out Saturday

Friday, June 09, 2006
By David Mayo
The Grand Rapids Press

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- It's just a hunch that Oscar De La Hoya will announce his retirement and leave Floyd Mayweather holding a bag lightened $750,000 by the pursuit.

None of this can be said with any conviction, save that De La Hoya will announce Saturday at a special media brunch here which option he has chosen, and whether Mayweather's years of yearning to fight him reach fruition.

Granted, we are talking about a boxing retirement. A classic oxymoron. But we also are talking about a different breed in De La Hoya, who never has toyed with the public with pseudo-retirements, in the way Sugar Ray Leonard did in announcing his 1982 retirement by pointing at Marvin Hagler and proclaiming that a fight between them "unfortunately would never happen."

Never lasted five years.

De La Hoya has a similar choice. He can fight the pound-for-pound king from Grand Rapids, or leave a king's ransom on the table.

To say the money isn't important would be foolish. If De La Hoya decides to take the fight, money is at the top of the list of reasons, regardless of his quarter-billionish (give or take a mid-eight-figure pittance) earned through boxing.

There are suggestions that De La Hoya-Mayweather could surpass Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson's record $103 million in pay-per-view sales. De La Hoya would keep a big chunk of that money through base purse, television percentages and his promotional rights.

Yes, the money matters.

Another reason would be the outrageous challenge of De La Hoya retiring -- there's that silly word again -- with a fight against boxing's best.

The third reason, just in case De La Hoya loses, would be to try locking Mayweather into a contract with Golden Boy Promotions. De La Hoya used the same formula in his 2004 loss to Bernard Hopkins to sign the former middleweight champion. And the 29-year-old Mayweather has far more years of productivity ahead.

Still, I suspect De La Hoya already has weighed the reasons for not taking the fight and determined them to be predominant.

One reason is a looming deadline for the proposed Sept. 16 fight. The industry standard is 90 days' lead time for a pay-per-view event, and a non-refundable payment to reserve the date often is required at that point.

You can look at the timing of De La Hoya's decision either way. He could be saying yes just before the soft deadline. Or, he simply could be extending a business courtesy to HBO and Mayweather by announcing his retirement as early as possible.

Still, if contract negotiations have been finalized, then a lot of people are doing a pretty good job keeping the results quiet. And if there is no contractual agreement, or immediate promise of one, that harkens the question of what De La Hoya possibly could announce, if not his retirement.

De La Hoya also is trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr., though they work on a fight-by-fight basis. They have no agreement in place for the proposed fight, although the elder Mayweather tepidly has agreed to work against his son if asked. He hasn't been asked.

There also is the risk.

De La Hoya admits the fight can go either way. But if he never fights Mayweather, he walks away with an enormous bankroll, a growing young family, a prospering promotional company, and few questions about why he declined to finish his career with such a risky fight after years at the game's highest level.

I suspect De La Hoya will decide that challenge -- one of the core reasons he might take the fight -- is not worth the risk. He tried it against Hopkins. He ended up with a good client, but a bad loss.

Every apparent obstacle to the fight has been removed. Mayweather bought out his contract with promoter Top Rank for $750,000 to facilitate negotiations. His estranged father, after waffling, decided he would work with De La Hoya if they can reach terms.

It has taken years to get to this point, closer than ever to De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, or perhaps farther than we think.

One man knows. Finally, he is ready to tell.

He's got to take this fight...all the odds are in his favor....and ODLH nevers passes on a mega-fight.....count this one as in the bag....

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Originally Posted by bigragu

He's got to take this fight...all the odds are in his favor....and ODLH nevers passes on a mega-fight.....count this one as in the bag....

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Totally disagree. The odds are not in his favor...not IWO.

Oscar is slower & Floyd is faster.
Oscar is bigger & a bit more experienced...that's it...just IWO.

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

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Originally Posted by bigragu

He's got to take this fight...all the odds are in his favor....and ODLH nevers passes on a mega-fight.....count this one as in the bag....

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Totally disagree. The odds are not in his favor...not IWO.

Oscar is slower & Floyd is faster.
Oscar is bigger & a bit more experienced...that's it...just IWO.

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ok...I'll concede the speed IRO...(In Ragu's Opinion)...or just IMO ...

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Originally Posted by bigragu

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

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Originally Posted by bigragu

He's got to take this fight...all the odds are in his favor....and ODLH nevers passes on a mega-fight.....count this one as in the bag....

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Totally disagree. The odds are not in his favor...not IWO.

Oscar is slower & Floyd is faster.
Oscar is bigger & a bit more experienced...that's it...just IWO.

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ok...I'll concede the speed IRO...(In Ragu's Opinion)...or just IMO ...

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Uh uh...IRO is fine. ;) ;D

Here's the thing...because I am a huge fan of bofem's...Oscar is stronger, Floyd is faster. I always think that speed negates strength in boxing...I've often been wrong...but I've often been right too.

Oscar's strength & experience could just as easily work against him than for him, again...I have been known to be wrong...from time to time. ;D

Please Oscar, take this fight. I just don't think that he can turn this down. This is a megafight in every sense of the word.

Oscar is just too big for Floyd... He has the skill to back it up aswell...

This fight doesn't advance boxing any further. Oscar wins, he retires. Floyd wins, it proves nothing other then he beat a past his prime Delahoya. But the Welterweight division or the Junior Middleweight division(wherever this fight goes) still doesn't move anywhere.

Now im a fan of both. Yes Mayweather too.... But Floyd would get destroyed by Oscar. Oscar is far too big for him, and Oscar has good hand speed not as great as Floyd but still... Even Judah is slower then floyd and at times seem faster. Plus Oscar hits harder. Pretty boy would suffer his first lost! KO. 8 or 9 round is my prediction.

This fight just has to come off! Its gona be a wicked fight! I just do not know who to call.....like both fighters and both are world beaters.....so close to call.

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

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Originally Posted by bigragu

He's got to take this fight...all the odds are in his favor....and ODLH nevers passes on a mega-fight.....count this one as in the bag....

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Totally disagree. The odds are not in his favor...not IWO.

Oscar is slower & Floyd is faster.
Oscar is bigger & a bit more experienced...that's it...just IWO.

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Oscar is also Stronger

I hope he takes this fight. I would be so dissapointed if he didnt. I actually think he would win, especially is Mayweather Sr says he can break little Floyd down

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

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Originally Posted by bigragu

He's got to take this fight...all the odds are in his favor....and ODLH nevers passes on a mega-fight.....count this one as in the bag....

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Totally disagree. The odds are not in his favor...not IWO.

Oscar is slower & Floyd is faster.
Oscar is bigger & a bit more experienced...that's it...just IWO.

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Oscar already has experience at 154, PBF has had ONE fight at 147.
I think that swings the odds into ODLH's favor. If I had to handicap this one right now it would be like this
ODLH -150 = 2/3
PBF -115 = 10/11.5 , close but still in ODLH's favor this is based on past opponents at higher weights.........
And the fact that all things considered ODLH is in a position to make more of the terms of the fight....
But this is just IKO
and.....................
There is no way de la Hoya can turn down this kind of cash, even if he loses he could pay for tons of things for Golden Boy Productions with his payout

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Originally Posted by Starr

This fight doesn't advance boxing any further. Oscar wins, he retires. Floyd wins, it proves nothing other then he beat a past his prime Delahoya. But the Welterweight division or the Junior Middleweight division(wherever this fight goes) still doesn't move anywhere.

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This absolutely furthers boxing, It may not have anything to do with ranks or belts, but it's about a battle between generations, young vs. old,
I think this will draw a lot of casual boxing fans back into the game. I am all for it, I think it advances boxing
by means of expanding the fan base....................which is essential

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

I always think that speed negates strength in boxing...I've often been wrong...but I've often been right too.

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I guess we'll see if the speed negating power holds true tonight with Malignaggi v. Cotto

Whatever the case...we have seen this before.

Oscar will throw this fight.....

IF oscar takes the fight I think he could be the first guy the KO Floyd, the answer to speed is timing, when oscar is in the zone his is as good as anybodys. Oscar has grown into a natural 154 IMO, thats age more than preference but Oscar hits hard, defensively he is tight and his will is strong. I can also imagine the UD for floyd in my head as well though, he's probably the hardest guy to hit cleanly on the planet, either way it would be an enormous event and surely a classic.

PBF certainly is faster than DLH but Oscar's not exactly slow, and he can take punishment and still deal it out. Only if PBF is really running like crazy, pointing and running, can he beat DLH. And I don't see DLH allowing that, nor do I see him using up his energy chasing after him. He'll cut off the ring, be patient, time him, and at some point get him against the ropes and hurt him en route to a KO. Judah was unable to sustain his successful early pressure against Floyd but did show that PBF is not invincible. Oscar surpasses Judah in skill and smarts. He'll show some good flashes of speed, too, when he has Floyd unable to answer.

There are ways Oscar can lose - if he chases too much and tires, or if he wins some rounds and coasts, etc. But I think he'll be aware of such dangers, and keep his wits about him. And even though Sr isn't the answer from heaven that he claims to be, it won't hurt Oscar to have PBF's daddy whispering in his ear. Won't hurt a bit.

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Originally Posted by Starr

This fight doesn't advance boxing any further. Oscar wins, he retires. Floyd wins, it proves nothing other then he beat a past his prime Delahoya. But the Welterweight division or the Junior Middleweight division(wherever this fight goes) still doesn't move anywhere.

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Couldn't disagree more on this one...

THis fight does an assload of shat for fans.

Maybe not for boxing...but for the fans...it does a lot.

I can't wait.

I got $2000.00 in savings...you can gotdam well believe that Wacko will be making the trip for this one.

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

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Originally Posted by Starr

This fight doesn't advance boxing any further. Oscar wins, he retires. Floyd wins, it proves nothing other then he beat a past his prime Delahoya. But the Welterweight division or the Junior Middleweight division(wherever this fight goes) still doesn't move anywhere.

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Couldn't disagree more on this one...

THis fight does an assload of shat for fans.

Maybe not for boxing...but for the fans...it does a lot.

I can't wait.

I got $2000.00 in savings...you can gotdam well believe that Wacko will be making the trip for this one.

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Sure but we're trying to advance boxing and the weight classes forward.

so what was his decision then?

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Originally Posted by Starr

This fight doesn't advance boxing any further. Oscar wins, he retires. Floyd wins, it proves nothing other then he beat a past his prime Delahoya. But the Welterweight division or the Junior Middleweight division(wherever this fight goes) still doesn't move anywhere.

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Since when have the promoters tried to advance boxing! Like PBF says if it makes money then it makes sense! That is all they care about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, the more the better!

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Originally Posted by Starr

This fight doesn't advance boxing any further. Oscar wins, he retires. Floyd wins, it proves nothing other then he beat a past his prime Delahoya. But the Welterweight division or the Junior Middleweight division(wherever this fight goes) still doesn't move anywhere.

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Could serve as a reality check for Floyd, especially if he doesn't carry the weight as well as he would hope.

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Originally Posted by Starr

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

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Originally Posted by Starr

This fight doesn't advance boxing any further. Oscar wins, he retires. Floyd wins, it proves nothing other then he beat a past his prime Delahoya. But the Welterweight division or the Junior Middleweight division(wherever this fight goes) still doesn't move anywhere.

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Couldn't disagree more on this one...

THis fight does an assload of shat for fans.

Maybe not for boxing...but for the fans...it does a lot.

I can't wait.

I got $2000.00 in savings...you can gotdam well believe that Wacko will be making the trip for this one.

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Sure but we're trying to advance boxing and the weight classes forward.

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Dumbest statement in the history of this board. ::**

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Originally Posted by ImRipped

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Originally Posted by Starr

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

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Originally Posted by Starr

This fight doesn't advance boxing any further. Oscar wins, he retires. Floyd wins, it proves nothing other then he beat a past his prime Delahoya. But the Welterweight division or the Junior Middleweight division(wherever this fight goes) still doesn't move anywhere.

---

Couldn't disagree more on this one...

THis fight does an assload of shat for fans.

Maybe not for boxing...but for the fans...it does a lot.

I can't wait.

I got $2000.00 in savings...you can gotdam well believe that Wacko will be making the trip for this one.

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Sure but we're trying to advance boxing and the weight classes forward.

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Dumbest statement in the history of this board. ::**

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You sound surprised.

Par for the course really ;D

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Originally Posted by Clydey_2_Times

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Originally Posted by ImRipped

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Originally Posted by Starr

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Starr

This fight doesn't advance boxing any further. Oscar wins, he retires. Floyd wins, it proves nothing other then he beat a past his prime Delahoya. But the Welterweight division or the Junior Middleweight division(wherever this fight goes) still doesn't move anywhere.

---

Couldn't disagree more on this one...

THis fight does an assload of shat for fans.

Maybe not for boxing...but for the fans...it does a lot.

I can't wait.

I got $2000.00 in savings...you can gotdam well believe that Wacko will be making the trip for this one.

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Sure but we're trying to advance boxing and the weight classes forward.

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Dumbest statement in the history of this board. ::**

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You sound surprised.

Par for the course really ;D

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Tell me about it ;D ;D ;D