03.05.07 – By Rizwaan Zahid: This Saturday will be a fight that most boxing fans have been waiting and yearning for. After the months of hyping up the fight like most pay-per-view events, and the talking between both fighters, everything will be decided in a 12 round bout for the WBC super welterweight championship. But before we get too excited and thinking that it will be a slugfest – let’s face it – rarely do the major fights that have the most marketing and publicity live up to the expectation of being a brawl..
Many outcomes may arise from this fight. These outcomes would be more simple than a Mayweather decision or De La Hoya stoppage, which so many are predicting. But under the microscope so much more can happen, and different reactions and fights may take place because of the outcome. First, let’s discuss the reactions if Mayweather fights a fast-pace fight where he flat out embarrasses De La Hoya, and cruises to a decision or a late stoppage by the corner.
Obviously, this will throw most boxing fans completely off, since most think that he will fight the way he did against Baldomir, landing single punches while cruising to an easy decision. Let’s remember it seems that he did injure his hand slightly in that fight. Nevertheless, many may say De La Hoya was a worn-out fighter, but some still may say that he still would have given a prime Oscar De La Hoya a run for his money. Similarly, if he KO’s or stops Oscar the way Bernard Hopkins did, than you can bet most fans will be shocked to say the least (even the Mayweather fans).
Next, what if just the opposite happens and Oscar wins by KO or TKO? His victory, like Mayweather’s, may be considered luck or some may think that Mayweather was not a real super welterweight. Again, it depends on the KO or stoppage. If De La Hoya dominates the fight since the opening bell, landing each punch at will and annihilates his opponent than most people could confidently say, “De La Hoya could box with the best for at least another two or three years”. Then again, a KO and TKO could mean a lot of other things as well. Mayweather’s biggest foe in his career has been his hands, and if he injures his hands and is forced to quit, than the KO or TKO may not tell the whole story.
Many criticize Mayweather for the way he fought the last few rounds in November against Baldomir. But let’s remember, Oscar did something similar against Trinidad. He thought he had the fight won and basically ran for the most part of the last three or four rounds and that fight was definitely much closer than the match Mayweather had against Carlos Baldomir. However, we may see just the opposite. This may be the Golden Boy’s last hurrah before he rides off into the sunset, and he may want to fight the 12th round the way he did against Ike Quartey. Oscar came out, anxious but composed, and landed the left hook that sent Quartey to the canvas. Judging by how close this fight may be, Oscar may need to have the best round of his career to pull off this one in the last round and win on the judges scorecards.
Win or lose for Oscar, this fight may end one of the most controversial careers in boxing history. He’s had controversial wins against the likes of Quartey and Pernell Whitaker, where most thought he did not do enough to win. He has also been on the short end of the stick against Mosley in their second fight and his epic battle with Tito Trinidad. In the fights against Mosley and Trinidad, most thought he was the more active and effective fighter.
Floyd, if he loses – depending on how he loses – still has many options in front of him. Many speculate he will retire as he pointed out after his one side beat down over Carlos Baldomir. However the options of having another mega fight, this time with Mosley at 147 is still a possibility. He also could have potential fights at welterweight, with the likes of Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito, just to name a few.
With so many possible outcomes and reactions to this event on Saturday, you can bet that many boxing fans will be watching this fight live. There will no doubt be an incredible amount of tension for nearly every fan during this fight. However, one thing I certainly hope is that the winner and loser of this fight get a reaction they deserve. If Mayweather simply outclasses De La Hoya or vice-versa, I hope that critics will say that the winner fought the right fight and simply wanted it more. Hopefully, there will be no excuses.
With only two days left, just like the fight is appropriately billed, the world eagerly awaits.