Oscar to fight 3 times in 2008

[chamiley]

De La Hoya will fight tuneup match in May

By Dave Meltzer, Yahoo! Sports
January 18, 2008

Oscar De La Hoya will fight a tune-up match on May 3 before his expected rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. The match, against an opponent to be named later, will take place at either Mexico City's Estadio Azteca or the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The fight, which will be part of a career countdown, will likely air on HBO instead of pay-per-view, to help drum up interest in the proposed Sept. 13 rematch with Mayweather.

"I want to set a trend where the big-name fighters will fight on free television," De La Hoya said. "Why not go back to the roots? Go back to fighting on free television. I think the fans deserve it. I hope other fighters can do this."

According to Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, De La Hoya has discussed developing a show about going back to his roots, and on Friday morning he told Schaefer he wanted his next fight to feature such a theme.

De La Hoya made his name on HBO after winning a gold medal in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. De La Hoya said he wanted to give access to people who normally can't see boxing's top stars either live or on television.

"It's basically a thank-you fight for the fans," De La Hoya said.

De La Hoya also said he wants to make the final year of his career his biggest, building toward a September bout with Mayweather, who most experts agree holds the mythical title that De La Hoya covets – best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Schaefer has already talked with the Home Depot Center, which can hold 45,000 fans for boxing. Schaefer will fly to Mexico City for a Tuesday meeting with the owners of Estadio Azteca, which holds 130,000. If filled, it is believed it would set an all-time attendance record for pro boxing.

Schaefer said if the match is held in Mexico City, tickets would cost as little as a few dollars, with bottom ticket prices of $10 to $20 if it is held in Southern California.

The field has been narrowed to three opponents, whom Schaefer declined to name. De La Hoya is expected to make a decision over the weekend and they hope to finalize the deal within a week.

If all goes as planned after the September fight against Mayweather, De La Hoya's career would end with a huge boxing weekend promotion, tentatively scheduled for December. Possibilities include bringing back his famous opponents from the past, as well as showcasing young talent, possibly including pro debuts of the Summer Olympics' top stars.

Adding intrigue to the Mayweather fight, which may be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is that Floyd Mayweather Sr. has agreed to train De La Hoya for all three fights this year.

The two were together for six years, but Mayweather Sr. backed out of training De La Hoya for last year's record-breaking fight because it was against his son. Mayweather Jr., 39-0 and the top-ranked fighter in the Yahoo! Sports pound-for-pound Top 10, beat De La Hoya via split decision on May 5. The event destroyed all pay-per-view records with 2.4 million buys.

Mayweather Jr. followed by beating Ricky Hatton via 10th round knockout on December 8. The success of the two fights led to it being the biggest year ever for boxing on pay-per-view.

"Floyd Sr. said he would train me for Floyd Mayweather Jr.," De La Hoya said. "That's excellent news for me. I'm very confident with Floyd Sr. in my corner. He knows Floyd Jr. better than anyone. He's the one who created him. With Floyd Sr. in my corner, my chances of winning are great."

Their first fight captured public interest unlike any in years, particularly from an HBO countdown documentary which turned Mayweather Jr. into a household name. The first fight lacked fireworks, and the bigger De La Hoya ultimately couldn't match the speed, reflexes or stamina of the man widely considered the most talented in boxing today. De La Hoya would need a new approach both to have a shot at beating Mayweather, but also to convince the public that the second fighter would be different from the first.

"Mayweather is the big fish in the sea," De La Hoya said. "He's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. I'm all about fighting the best fighter in the world and that's the fight I have to win.

He feels the added time plus a tune-up fight, plus Mayweather Sr. in his corner will be a difference-maker.

"If I stay active and in the gym and stay sharp, nobody can beat me," he said. "Fighting once a year wasn't the best thing for me."

De La Hoya said the third fight would "absolutely" be the final one of his career. "I can't turn back the clock," he said.

[Violent Demise]

Should be interesting.

[Kev]

hehehehehehehe God or should I say Satan bless Oscar De La Hoya and his greedy ways.

He surely knows EXACTLY how to rehype a rematch that nobody was asking for.

Going back to his roots to get back his passionate Mexican fans and then in the ultimate Hollywood stlye sequel script he's going to actually be trained by Floyd's dad this time.

I think it's clear he knows that doing that will the crucial angle he will need to hook the fans once again. Let's turn it into Star Wars with the father fighting against the son although this time the son will be portrayed as the Evil Emperor and Oscar will be Luke to Mayweather's Vadar/Obi One/Predator figure.

I only hope this one ends with Oscar losing a hand and being hurled into an abyss, ideally without the Millenium Falcon and Han Solo there to save him.

I don't know whether to be angry at his pure greed and self hype or sit back and admire the calculated genuis of the greatest self-promoter in boxing history.

[CutMeMick]

De La Hoya will win all 3 fights.

[SweetPea]

I wonder if Oscar will get the Sturm judges to work this tuneup fight too

[CutMeMick]

I wonder if Oscar will get the Sturm judges to work this tuneup fight too

Ouch!!

good one... CC#400 on me 400 already Sweet.... congrats.

[Bookkeeper]

The king of PPV has the nerve to tell people that he will set an example of big fighters fighting on free TV, this is almost as crazy as when he told the public people like to see brawling they don't like to see tactical fights (after the Floyd fight) when he ran for 12 rounds against Tito, the man is out of his fucking mind but he is brilliant because most of the boxing public buy's into what he say's

[El Gamo]

May-Steve Forbes

Sept-Floyd

Dec-Shane or Cotto?

hehehehehehehe God or should I say Satan bless Oscar De La Hoya and his greedy ways.

He surely knows EXACTLY how to rehype a rematch that nobody was asking for.

Going back to his roots to get back his passionate Mexican fans and then in the ultimate Hollywood stlye sequel script he's going to actually be trained by Floyd's dad this time.

I think it's clear he knows that doing that will the crucial angle he will need to hook the fans once again. Let's turn it into Star Wars with the father fighting against the son although this time the son will be portrayed as the Evil Emperor and Oscar will be Luke to Mayweather's Vadar/Obi One/Predator figure.

I only hope this one ends with Oscar losing a hand and being hurled into an abyss, ideally without the Millenium Falcon and Han Solo there to save him.

I don't know whether to be angry at his pure greed and self hype or sit back and admire the calculated genuis of the greatest self-promoter in boxing history.

I'm glad someone else sees him for what he is. A greedy bastard. Making himself to be heroic by giving away a free fight v Steve Forbes and then hyping the rematch with Floyd using the father angle.

[SweetPea]

this is almost as crazy as when he told the public people like to see brawling they don't like to see tactical fights (after the Floyd fight) when he ran for 12 rounds against Tito

Hey, be fair to Oscar, the Tito fight wasn't his fault, he was just listening to the advice of his trainers!

[Puerto Rican Punch]

May-Steve Forbes

Sept-Floyd

Dec-Shane or Cotto?

hehehehehehehe God or should I say Satan bless Oscar De La Hoya and his greedy ways.

He surely knows EXACTLY how to rehype a rematch that nobody was asking for.

Going back to his roots to get back his passionate Mexican fans and then in the ultimate Hollywood stlye sequel script he's going to actually be trained by Floyd's dad this time.

I think it's clear he knows that doing that will the crucial angle he will need to hook the fans once again. Let's turn it into Star Wars with the father fighting against the son although this time the son will be portrayed as the Evil Emperor and Oscar will be Luke to Mayweather's Vadar/Obi One/Predator figure.

I only hope this one ends with Oscar losing a hand and being hurled into an abyss, ideally without the Millenium Falcon and Han Solo there to save him.

I don't know whether to be angry at his pure greed and self hype or sit back and admire the calculated genuis of the greatest self-promoter in boxing history.

I'm glad someone else sees him for what he is. A greedy B******. Making himself to be heroic by giving away a free fight v Steve Forbes and then hyping the rematch with Floyd using the father angle.

I am wondering if Tito might enter to this scenario, if he looks good today... After all this was the fight they were trying to set for long time without success. But, I believe the weight will maintain them separated even if this happens.

[Chino]

this is almost as crazy as when he told the public people like to see brawling they don't like to see tactical fights (after the Floyd fight) when he ran for 12 rounds against Tito

Hey, be fair to Oscar, the Tito fight wasn't his fault, he was just listening to the advice of his trainers!

And still many boxing experts and fans believe Oscar got robbed.

[Cortez The Killer]

May-Steve Forbes

Sept-Floyd

Dec-Shane or Cotto?

hehehehehehehe God or should I say Satan bless Oscar De La Hoya and his greedy ways.

He surely knows EXACTLY how to rehype a rematch that nobody was asking for.

Going back to his roots to get back his passionate Mexican fans and then in the ultimate Hollywood stlye sequel script he's going to actually be trained by Floyd's dad this time.

I think it's clear he knows that doing that will the crucial angle he will need to hook the fans once again. Let's turn it into Star Wars with the father fighting against the son although this time the son will be portrayed as the Evil Emperor and Oscar will be Luke to Mayweather's Vadar/Obi One/Predator figure.

I only hope this one ends with Oscar losing a hand and being hurled into an abyss, ideally without the Millenium Falcon and Han Solo there to save him.

I don't know whether to be angry at his pure greed and self hype or sit back and admire the calculated genuis of the greatest self-promoter in boxing history.

I'm glad someone else sees him for what he is. A greedy B******. Making himself to be heroic by giving away a free fight v Steve Forbes and then hyping the rematch with Floyd using the father angle.

Yes, Oscar is a master of disguise! Very manipulative and conniving, he knows exactly what face to show and when.

Much of what he does that sounds beneficial/generous to others only comes back to benefit himself in the end.

To be honest I think he might be a bit of a sociopath:

-Glibness and Superficial Charm

-Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.

-Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."

-Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing.

-Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

-Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.

-Incapacity for Love

-Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Promiscuity is common.

-Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.

[boozeboxer]

Is fishnet garments under "need for stimulation" ?

[Mikkel_K]

May-Steve Forbes

Sept-Floyd

Dec-Shane or Cotto?

How about Sergio Mora for May?

Back to the roots in L.A... And a (semi-)high profile, winnable fight at that.

[RP33]

May-Steve Forbes

Sept-Floyd

Dec-Shane or Cotto?

How about Sergio Mora for May?

Back to the roots in L.A... And a (semi-)high profile, winnable fight at that.

good idea, and i'd love to see Mora's face get smashed in, but Mora doesn't want a loss on his record, i doubt very much that he'd take this.. If hypothetically Mora was offered the fight.. the only positive thing that could come out of it would be, obviously money, and if he put up a fight he'd get some exposure.. but if he got completely shut out, which i think he would, then besides the money, he'd have a loss on his record and he'd look terrible in front of a lot of people.. If he wants a career as a fighter he wouldn't take it, as mucha s i'd love him to.