This will be an extremely short article, folks. Because I think once you hear the news, you'll realize there isn't much to say except: "You were right. The Golden Boy really does avoid fighting the best boxers in his division."
That conclusion is inescapable, in light of the remarks De La Hoya made at his most recent press conference. While hawking his book, "American Son," Oscar was asked about his next mega-million dollar fight. What he said disappointed many boxing writers, not to mention fans of the sport who actually know a thing or two.
Unless you live in a cave, you are already well aware of the fact that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has retired from the game. He promises he won't be back, although most of us believe it is just a matter of time.
Oscar's rematch with Mayweather was scheduled for Sept. 20 in Las Vegas. De La Hoya was very clear about this game plan. He would have just two more fights, real, big-time crowd pleasers, then retire. Permanently.
Floyd was to be first, with an opponent to be named later as his final swan song. Mayweather's retirement spoiled Oscar's exit strategy, so the fellas in the Golden Boy's camp had to scramble for a valid replacement. Someone the fans would clamor to see him tangle with.
This is where things turn ugly. And ridiculous. Even a staunch De La Hoya fanatic will have to admit that the road ahead for Oscar is paved with idiocy. Plain and simple.
First, Oscar offers to fight Ricky Hatton. Sure, why not pick on a 140-pounder who lost by vicious knockout to Mayweather at 147 and barely withstood his last fight, at home, against another 140-pounder.
Hatton turned it down and, despite the fact that it was worth many millions of dollars to him, I don't blame him. Aside from the cash, why would he volunteer to step into the ring with someone Oscar's size, a man who has fought well as a middleweight? Come on, folks. Would you really pay to see this? I wouldn't, and I consider myself to be a rabid boxing fan.
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Things went from bad to worse. From the ridiculous to the sublime. Who did Oscar then begin talking about as his next opponent? Manny Pacquiao. Yes, the man who, in two weeks' time, will be moving up to Lightweight to face David Diaz for the 135-pound title.
Does Oscar really think that's a dream match up? If anything, it's a mismatch worthy of laughter. Sure, ever since Mayweather recently hung up his gloves, experts have been calling Manny the best boxer, pound for pound, in the world. But should a super-featherweight who is barely experienced as a lightweight fight at 154 or 160? Hell, no.
Let's just take a peek at the physical attributes of both men. Oscar lists himself as being 5'10 1/2" with a reach of 73". And Pacquiao? The man De La Hoya would like to convince you is a marketable, legitimate challenger? Oh, well, he stands at 5'6 1/2" with an official reach of 67".
And let's not forget one more vital statistic. The last time Oscar fought as a lightweight was...December 15, 1995. Hmm. Would you say he has possibly outgrown that particular division?
For The Golden Boy to even suggest it is moronic. Oh, yeah. There's one more little tidbit that was mentioned during that very same interview. Oscar doesn't want two more fights before quitting for good. Nope. Just one, and it won't be in September, it will be in December.
Can you guess why? Simple. Because the man he wants to fight just fought last weekend. Yes, you got it. Sergio Mora! All I can say is, "Oh, my God."
If you recall, I wrote an article a few weeks back in which I asserted that Oscar has ducked so many of the top contenders and champions in the various weight classes he's passed through over the years, it's more than obvious.
De La Hoya fans were pissed off. It just isn't true. Not the Golden Boy! He's too tough for that.
Really? Then ask yourself this question: Why has De La Hoya conveniently not offered to fight Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito? Aren't they both worthy of a match with Oscar? Isn't Cotto a welterweight champ? Isn't Margarito? Wouldn't people want to see that more than a fight against...Sergio Mora?
You know damn well the answer is a resounding, "YES!" So, how do you explain this negligent act by Oscar? Is his memory bad? Did he just forget? Does he think Cotto and/or Margarito are too easy for him, while Mora is a real challenge?
No. De La Hoya isn't willing to take ANY CHANCES. Mora, as we all know, doesn't have the skill, and certainly not the power, to present a risk to De La Hoya on any given night. He beat Vernon Forrest for one reason and one reason only. Forrest didn't fight back.
Not only has the Golden Boy proven himself to be a punk in the past. But it looks like he wants to go out that way, too. If you're a fan of Oscar De La Hoya, the legend in his own mind, I suggest you write him, call him, e-mail him or just scream at him at the top of your lungs to fight someone who's for real.
Perhaps he'll listen. But my opinion, based on past experience, is that he won't.
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2 months ago
Very well-written....But, Del La Hoya has fought nearly every good/great fighter of his era-case closed!
Mayweather
Hopkins
Mosley
Trinidad
Vargas
Gatti
Quartey
Chavez
Camacho
Whitaker
Mayorga
* There is approximately 6 Hall of Famers in the list of names I provided and Oscar can't discuss fighting Cotto right now-Cotto is on the cusp of the biggest fight of his career in a month...
By the way, I'm certainly not an enormous Oscar fan.
from about 1 month ago
He lost to Mayweather. Hopkins knocked hyim out. Mosley beat him twice. Trinidad beat him. The Whitaker fight was a gift. Just saying...
2 months ago
Colin,
I suggest you read my previous articles about Oscar. All of them. You can see for yourself just how many top ranked fighters, and champions, De La Hoya did NOT fight during his career, as well as finding the circumstances under which he did fight some of the people on your list.
Is Pacquiao an opponent Oscar should be chasing? Is Sergio Mora? If you think so, I'd love to hear your reasoning as to why Cotto and Margarito aren't on his short list. Check his press conference notes. They aren't.
from 2 months ago
I don't have time to read them.....Who did he not fight? What about who he did fight? 6 Hall of Famers? Hopkins who was simply far too big for him to challenge he did....Again, Cotto shouldn't be on his short list because Cott's about to embark on the toughest fight of his life in a month.
2 months ago
Interesting point, but not in favor of De La Hoya. If Bernard Hopkins at 160 was simply too big for Oscar at 154...then where is the logic in De La Hoya asking Pacquiao at 130 to fight?
Believe me, the list of boxers Oscar either didn't fight or did fight in weight divisions that they weren't accustomed to, is long and legitimate. When you have the time, read my previous articles.
2 months ago
No money in a De La Hoya-Margarito fight. Oscar is by far the most financially successful boxer of all-time. He's at no point in his career to take a fight that won't be a top draw. Oscar's career has been tainted by a horrible decision in his biggest fight (L to Trinidad in '99) and 2 losses to a man who was likely on performance-enhancing drugs (Mosley). He is in no way a disappointment to the boxing world and is one of the only fighters people still care about watching.
from 2 months ago
the loss to trinidad is b.s. and I agree that there is a high percentage chance that mosley was on steroids at the very least in their first fight(i believe oscar won the 2nd fight). that leaves two fighters oscar lost to, hopkins(who he had no business fighting) and floyd mayweather. No shame in those losses.
about 1 month ago
Not sure what fighter you have been following but Oscar has ben involved in countless big name fights. He has beaten and honor roll of boxers, names like Rafel Ruelas, Genaro Hernandez, Julio Ceasaer Chaveez (twice) MIguel Angel Gonzalez, Pernell Whitaker, Hector Camacho, Ike Quartey, Obba Carr, and those where just early on, not to mention Mayorga, Artoro Gatti, Fernando Vargas, Felix Trinadad who I dont care what anybody says he beat easily and was robbed, and also fighters he had no business fighting like Hopkins and steroid up shane mosley just to prove to guys like you that he is not afraid to fight those bigger guys. Alot of people hate Oscar for one reason or another but dont deny his greatness and status, he came up fast took off , and took the boxing world by storm that is why he got top dollar for those big name fights and made him filthy rich.
about 1 month ago
You know what Jeff, I agree 100% with what you said. its unfortunate that most people dont want to hear the truth and that is exactly what you've stated. Assuming Colin dont realise, Dela Hoya lost to all the marquee fighters in the long list he's produced except for Quartey whom he disputedly beat on a split decision. The other wins were against greats who's either past their best or or were just durable fighters. Dela Hoya to me is a great fighter and an exciting one, but certainly not a legend. Because you cannot be be legend by losing to all the marquee fighters you've face.
about 1 month ago
Nice article. De La Hoya is no where near as good as his fans say he is. And yeah, why isnt he fighting Margarito or Cotto? Have a real fight before you retire.
28 days ago
Oscar De La Hoya should be ashamed to fight Manny Pacquiao and if the fight does happen that will be the biggest joke in boxing. Oscar is 5'9 157 Manny is 5'6 135 do you all really that Manny can knock out Oscar? Oscar is afraid to fight Antonio Margarito and always has Manny doesn't wan't to fight Marquez because he knows he will loose. When Manny fought Morales in the first fight Morales was a heavier boxer and beat him up good, imagine what Oscar will do to him, he is a natural Welterwight. Oscar is the biggest joke in boxing next to Floyd Maywether and they are both chickens.
18 days ago
The only reason Oscar is looking to fight Manny is because it is the biggest money fight out there. De La Hoya has the right to fight whoever the hell he wants. Kind of like this idiot gets to write whatever the hell he wants about De La Hoya.
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