Looking five or six years younger than his age, Oscar De La Hoya thoroughly dominated Steve Forbes over twelve rounds at the Home Depot Center soccer stadium, in Carson, Calif. on Saturday night.
Oscar took a unanimous decision by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109. De La Hoya improved his record to 39-5, while Forbes fell to 33-6.
This fight was seen as a tuneup to a proposed rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr., The Ring Magazine's welterweight champ and the fighter considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet.
Floyd took the first fight last year by decision in a fight which Oscar did well early but faded as his jab and workrate decreased.
"Now I feel sharp after twelve hard rounds," said Oscar after the fight. "I was hoping I would stop him, but I knew he would be a tough customer. That's the way he fights. That's who he is."
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Oscar started fast with his jab early on, and looked to counter Forbes and work the body.
Forbes' counterplan was to wait out De La Hoya's early assault and hope he faded late as he did against Mayweather. Forbes felt he could take advantage of Oscar's recent tendency to abandon his jab and lean forward and give away his height. Such a plan never came to fruition for Forbes.
Oscar looked sharp, faster, and had more stamina than recent fights. He built an early lead through six, with many at Press Row having him winning every round. In the seventh, he appeared to hurt Forbes with a left hook.
Forbes used every veteran trick to survive, rolling with most of Oscar's power shots and going on the defensive whenever Oscar threw combinations. The cleanest punch was Oscar's jab, with Compubox having Oscar throwing over 400 during the fight.
Down the stretch and with the fight firmly in control, Oscar never took his foot off the gas pedal. He kept stalking Forbes, pressing the smaller fighter, and going to his body often. He appeared to want to close the show in style, and while he didn't secure the knockout, he put on a dominant display against a solid opponent.
"I've always prided myself on fighting the best, and I know I can beat Mayweather," Oscar stated.
If the rematch is signed and happens in September as planned, it seems we will find out.
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4 months ago
Great Article... your amazing with words!!
from 4 months ago
thank you im flattered, glad you enjoyed.
3 months ago
Oscar will lose the rematch with Floyd. All he is now is slower. If he tries to be more aggressive, it won't be effective. And do you really want to reach out and leave yourself open against an excellent counterpuncher like Mayweather? I wouldn't suggest it.
While we're on the subject of upcoming fights, let me give you a few other things to consider.
When Margarito fights Cotto, we're going to find out how well Cotto handles relentless pressure. Unless, of course, Margarito suddenly changes the way he fights, which I doubt. This is his biggest showcase yet. If he comes after Cotto the way he did against Cintron, we'll have all of our questions answered about Cotto.
Margarito can't get overconfident, though. When he fought Paul Williams, he followed him around the ring as if it was just a matter of time. Unfortunately, when time ran out, Margarito lost the decision. I have no doubt he would beat Williams in a rematch, but I don't think there will ever be one.
If Cotto and De La Hoya met in the ring? Cotto would duck under and kill Oscar's body. That one would be truly ugly for The Golden Boy. I'd predict Cotto by KO.
But if Cotto and Mayweather get it on? My goodness. I don't see Mayweather being able to just hang back and pick his shots. Mosley went as far as he did against Cotto, and fought well, just barely losing a decision, because he stayed in Cotto's face and traded when he could.
If Mayweather felt like taking a chance, he could beat Cotto rather easily with speed and fast feet. But if Cotto could come forward swinging and not be hit back consistently? Eventually, Cotto would break Floyd down.
Thoughts?
Oh, and one more thing. If Calzaghe and Roy Jones fight? I'll be sure to go out for dinner that night. I wouldn't waste my time watching that.
3 months ago
I would watch Cazaghe and Roy, even though the matchup is about ten years too late. I mostly agree with the rest of your assessments.
3 months ago
if by amazing you mean soft around the waste and swolled up in the face like he was messing with a behive then yeah he looked amazing.i don't wanna hear about any oscar fights unless its a trinidad fight,so they can both make a ton of money shut the hell up and quit.
3 months ago
well anton, unfortunately, thats not the way sportswriting works my brother. Oscar is still the biggest draw in all of fighting,(boxing and mma) therefore, he will get coverage until he retires which will be very soon actually.
anyways thanks for the read, and i wish he were fighting trinidad and not mayweather so then mayweather would have to retire or fight the winner of margarito/cotto.
thanks for the read.
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