I've always loved Oscar. But even I think he's going to have a hard row to hoe this time. Though I can dream, can't I? Go Oscar!!!!!
I really miss boxing-as-legitimate-sport Boxing has always had corrupt guys in charge, but I remember when I was a kid, I wanted to be a boxer. Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield on cable had a lot to do with it. Boxing, in general, on network TV had even more to do with it. My friends and I bought every issue of Ring magazine. Even collected boxing cards. Those days were a long time ago. De La Hoya vs. Mayweather might be boxing's swan song (at least with white America.) To be honest, I didn't think it had even one last hurrah left. (As a side note, the fight kind of reminds me of Rocky Balboa vs. Clubber Lang -- the first time.)
This fight will be a lot closer than most people think. Floyd is not as fast as he is given credit for, and Oscar is not a slow as he is being made out to be. Oscar's size, speed, heart, and experience will go a long way for him in this fight. Oscar by split decision. As for the death of boxing...it is the lack of appealing characters and stories that are killing it.
As for the death of boxing...it is the lack of appealing characters and stories that are killing it That and the fact that boxing is pretty much always on Pay Per View instead of network television. Big fights like this deserves PPV status but with MMA organizations like UFC and Pride on TV, Boxing is taking a backseat to the fight game fast.
Oscar's grown into a pretty tough character and he almost always keeps his head when the fur starts to fly. Mayweather get's frustrated and emotional sometimes, so I think Oscar gets the thumbs up there. Mayweather has also had somewhat fragile hands in the past, so if he breaks one, it could make a big difference. He's determined enough to fight through stuff like that, but it has definitely made him less effective on occasion. Those are about the only advantages Oscar has as far as I can see. Mayweather is a frickin' little buzz saw. I've lived near Grand rapids all my life and Floyd has acted like a little prick for as long as I can recall, so I hope that De La Hoya slaps that infuriating smirk right off his face...but he'll need to be almost perfect to pull it off.
