Boxing: Oscar De La Hoya Looks Sharp In Win

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."

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.