Mayweather vs De La Hoya

[Atocep]

Suprised there's been no thread about "the fight that will save boxing".

Does anyone see De La Hoya having much of a chance in this one? If you remove the names and look at boxing styles and recent matches, this looks horribly one-sided to me.

[stevew]

I hear the fight will never end.

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[Fouts]

De La Hoya doesn't fight much anymore, and I thought Mayorga was going to tear him a new one last year (turns out Mayorga was all talk). Not looking good for Oscar again, but who knows?

[Schmidty]

Come on Floyd!! Make Grand Rapids proud, and put that nancy boy down.

[Young Drachma]

I'm considering buying the fight, because I'd like to see it. But I guess part of me feels kinda slimy buying the fight. And HBO will show a replay some other time, right? I have that channel.

[Dr. Sak]

I want to see this fight really bad but i refuse to buy it on PPV. I've been burnt too many times by boxing PPV.

[Antmeister]

I want to see this fight really bad but i refuse to buy it on PPV. I've been burnt too many times by boxing PPV.

Ever since the Tyson vs. Sphinx fight, I vowed never to pay for a fight on PPV, even though I was in high school when this fight was taking place.

[Atocep]

I want to see this fight really bad but i refuse to buy it on PPV. I've been burnt too many times by boxing PPV.

Same. I'd be much more inclined to pay for this fight if I promoters didn't think every fight should be a major PPV event. As it is now its hard for me to get excited about PPV fights anymore and I don't see myself shelling out $55 for this one.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

Ever since the Tyson vs. Sphinx fight, I vowed never to pay for a fight on PPV, even though I was in high school when this fight was taking place.

Michael Spinks had never been knockdown before this fight and he had a 31-0 record, plus he just beat Larry Holmes twice in a row. It was a good fight on paper but not in the ring..

For this fight, I would like to see De La Hoya win but Mayweather is one bad mutha...

[spleen1015]

I am getting the fight and will have 2 million of my closest friends watching it with me!

Seriously, I have some amigos coming over to play a little 360 before the fight then we'll watch De La Hoya win!

[cmp]

Mayweather hands down. Have to go with the hometown kid.

[Schmidty]

Mayweather hands down. Have to go with the hometown kid.

Hell yeah, man.

[Rizon]

Ever since the Tyson vs. Sphinx fight, I vowed never to pay for a fight on PPV, even though I was in high school when this fight was taking place.

I was at this dude's house for that fight, and he did some minor construction to his house (cut some holes, etc.) before the fight to run some kind of cable line to his bigger TV from another room. He almost started crying after the fight was over, cause he went through alot of friggin trouble for nothing.

[sabotai]

While I still think Mayweather will win the fight (but I'm hoping Oscar wins), De La Hoya weighed in at the weight limit of 154 and Mayweather weighed in at 150. I'm not sold on the idea that a few pounds, even at that level, makes much of a difference, but if it does, there it is.

And for the record, I would much rather pay for a dozen Tyson-Spinks fights than a single John Ruiz fight. :D

[jbergey22]

I'm considering buying the fight, because I'd like to see it. But I guess part of me feels kinda slimy buying the fight. And HBO will show a replay some other time, right? I have that channel.


Why would you feel "slimy" buying the fight? I've ordered numerous boxing PPV's and only been disappointed twice(Jones-Tarver3 and Tyson hitting some tool after the bell and the tool faking an injury after the first round). This fight will live up to expectations because its in the lower weights. Boxing is a great sport if you look for more than knockouts.

[Young Drachma]

Why would you feel "slimy" buying the fight? I've ordered numerous boxing PPV's and only been disappointed twice(Jones-Tarver3 and Tyson hitting some tool after the bell and the tool faking an injury after the first round). This fight will live up to expectations because its in the lower weights. Boxing is a great sport if you look for more than knockouts.

Because they're hyping this thing beyond belief to get us to buy. I've never bought PPV before, but my dad always used to and sure enough, the fights never lasted long enough to make it worthwhile. Kinda crappy to me.

Even hearing the HBO PPV VP on TV the other day saying that he believed more championship level boxing had to be on TV accessible for ordinary folks, made me believe that not buying this fight makes more sense than not. Especially since my sports fan friends aren't in town this weekend anyway.

[timmae]

I'll be buying and watching. And rooting for De La Hoya to knock the snot out of Mayweather. Does anyone know how many undercards will be shown on the broadcast? I know Jaurez/Hernandez will be shown. Also, $55 isn't much for a few hours of entertainment. Even if the main fight disappoints you'll get a few hours of boxing and commentary if you're watching the undercard bout. Have a few drinks in any bar in Chicago and you're paying more than $55...

[cartman]

While I still think Mayweather will win the fight (but I'm hoping Oscar wins), De La Hoya weighed in at the weight limit of 154 and Mayweather weighed in at 150. I'm not sold on the idea that a few pounds, even at that level, makes much of a difference, but if it does, there it is.

And for the record, I would much rather pay for a dozen Tyson-Spinks fights than a single John Ruiz fight. :D

I don't put much stock in the weigh-in, but there being a 4 pound difference is a little surprising. Usually boxers have to struggle to make the limit, then show up on fight night weighing 5 to 10 pounds more at the weigh-in. Might be interesting if the Golden Boy is 10 to 15 pounds heavier then Mayweather during the fight.

[Greyroofoo]

UFC > Boxing

[spleen1015]

2 undercards

The main event is scheduled to start at 11:30pm EST.

[sterlingice]

Man, I'd love to see this tonight but I'm going to be at the Royals game so I'm going to be missing this and the Rockets game 7 :(

SI

[MizzouRah]

Man, I'd love to see this tonight but I'm going to be at the Royals game so I'm going to be missing this and the Rockets game 7 :(

SI

what better royals game or fight?

[sterlingice]

Well, considering I can actully go to one (and it's buck night) and the other I'll just be sitting at home watching. I'll take the live sporting event.

SI

[WVUFAN]

UFC > Boxing

Agreed.

And Pro Wrestling > UFC

[MizzouRah]

Well, considering I can actully go to one (and it's buck night) and the other I'll just be sitting at home watching. I'll take the live sporting event.

SI

Beers for a buck? ;)

[sabotai]

I don't put much stock in the weigh-in, but there being a 4 pound difference is a little surprising. Usually boxers have to struggle to make the limit, then show up on fight night weighing 5 to 10 pounds more at the weigh-in. Might be interesting if the Golden Boy is 10 to 15 pounds heavier then Mayweather during the fight.

I don't think he'll come in much heavier than his 154 weigh in. Maybe 158-160. When he fought Hopkins, he weighed in at 156, 4 pounds under the limit. But I question how effective Mayweather will be. Not only is De La Hoya bigger than any fighter he's faced, he's also the tallest. I don't think the weight will slow him down, but he's mastered staying away from people 5'5" and 5'7". I wonder if De La Hoya at 5'10" will catch him more oftan and if that extra 5-10 pounds will make Mayweather fell it more when he does.

[sabotai]

Agreed.

And Pro Wrestling > UFC

Geez, at least when Grey trolled the thread he compared boxing to an actual sport.

[WVUFAN]

Geez, at least when Grey trolled the thread he compared boxing to an actual sport.

Hey, Pro Wrestling is fixed, not fake.

Just like Boxing. And NASCAR, according tp Tony Stewart. ;)

Trolling over, sorry. :)

[sabotai]

Hey, Pro Wrestling is fixed, not fake.

Just like Boxing. And NASCAR, according tp Tony Stewart. ;)

And football, according to Seattle Seahawks fans.

[WVUFAN]

And football, according to Seattle Seahawks fans.

Very true. :)

In any case, sorry for hijacking the thread.

[cartman]

I don't think he'll come in much heavier than his 154 weigh in. Maybe 158-160. When he fought Hopkins, he weighed in at 156, 4 pounds under the limit. But I question how effective Mayweather will be. Not only is De La Hoya bigger than any fighter he's faced, he's also the tallest. I don't think the weight will slow him down, but he's mastered staying away from people 5'5" and 5'7". I wonder if De La Hoya at 5'10" will catch him more oftan and if that extra 5-10 pounds will make Mayweather fell it more when he does.

I'm thinking the extra weight is a bonus for Oscar as well. He's used to fighting at a bunch of different weight classes, so having some extra heft behind the punch can only help. Arturo Gatti is probably the most blatant example of bloating up after weigh-in.

[kingfc22]

Comcast sucks. $55 for a fight that they aren't even showing in HD. Sorry, but you could of had my money. Now I'll just wait a week or two to watch in HBO for free in HD

[cartman]

Comcast sucks. $55 for a fight that they aren't even showing in HD. Sorry, but you could of had my money. Now I'll just wait a week or two to watch in HBO for free in HD

DirecTV wants $65 for the HD feed.

[kingfc22]

DirecTV wants $65 for the HD feed.

That's absurd, but at least they will be showing it in HD.

[sabotai]

Comcast sucks. $55 for a fight that they aren't even showing in HD. Sorry, but you could of had my money. Now I'll just wait a week or two to watch in HBO for free in HD

That's odd, I can get it from Comcast in HD. Look through the Guide, on mine it's labeled "Boxing in HD" and it's channel 214 or something like that (it's in with the rest of the HD channel section).

[sabotai]

I'm thinking the extra weight is a bonus for Oscar as well. He's used to fighting at a bunch of different weight classes, so having some extra heft behind the punch can only help. Arturo Gatti is probably the most blatant example of bloating up after weigh-in.

Yeah, I felt sorry for Gamache. That fight ended his career (although at his age, he was close to done anyway). EDIT: Just read that he suffered permanent brain damage because of that fight.

[kingfc22]

That's odd, I can get it from Comcast in HD. Look through the Guide, on mine it's labeled "Boxing in HD" and it's channel 214 or something like that (it's in with the rest of the HD channel section).

I guess Bay Area comcast sucks then

[cartman]

That was an entertaining lightweight undercard. Lots of action, and it went the distance to boot.

[Senator]

Just made it home with some family, we thought we would order it. Phone number is continually busy and the website is toast.

Oh, well.

[cartman]

Just made it home with some family, we thought we would order it. Phone number is continually busy and the website is toast.

Oh, well.

If you hop in the car NOW, and take 281 down, you MIGHT make it to my place before the main event is over, as long as the undercards and main event go the distance...

:D

[Young Drachma]

I'm half tempted to order this. I probably shouldn't. But I'm tempted.

[Senator]

I'm half tempted to order this. I probably shouldn't. But I'm tempted.

If you are calling or using online to do it, good luck.

[Young Drachma]

I live in Wyoming. There isn't any waiting in line for much of anything here.

[Young Drachma]

With digital cable, you just push a button and click "order".

[Neuqua]

Dang no one was around to head out to the bars to watch this tonight. Anyone know of a place i can get updates?

[Young Drachma]

Floyd Mayweather, Sr. is annoying to listen to. I mean, that's just a bizarre situation with Sr. v. Jr.

Bleh. I hope this fight goes a while or else I'll never do this again.

[cartman]

Floyd Mayweather, Sr. is annoying to listen to. I mean, that's just a bizarre situation with Sr. v. Jr.

Bleh. I hope this fight goes a while or else I'll never do this again.

Mayweather Sr. needs to stop hanging out with Marion Barry. Seriously, lay off the pipe, dude.

[Young Drachma]

Mayweather Sr. needs to stop hanging out with Marion Barry. Seriously, lay off the pipe, dude.

Glad you said it. I thought it...

[sabotai]

I guess Bay Area comcast sucks then

Well it sucks here too. In the 10th round of the first fight (little over an hour ago), it cuts out and it hasn't come back on. Been trying to call since it cut out and it's been busy.

[cartman]

The second fight was entertaining as well. I hope the main event can hope to match the intensity of the under cards...

[Young Drachma]

Didn't know Wesley Snipes was out of hiding.

[cartman]

Didn't know Wesley Snipes was out of hiding.

Zimbabwe can only provide so much cover...

:D

[Young Drachma]

Mexican national anthem. Interesting.

[Young Drachma]

Wow. Love the hat.

[Young Drachma]

Oh God. 50 Cent. Bleh.

[Young Drachma]

So far, so good.

[Atocep]

ESPN is doing round by round coverage for those that didn't order.

hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2861712

[Young Drachma]

Seems like Mayweather is playing with him right now.

[Young Drachma]

"Let the little bitch get tired."

Gotta love the talk in the corner.

[Young Drachma]

Oscar looked really good at the beginning of that third round. Really aggressive. It didn't seem that effective, but...it sure looked good. But he making a fight of it.

[Young Drachma]

Seems like the Mayweather strategy is "just sit back and relax. You'll get your chance."


And De La Hoya fights like he's tense, like he's got something to prove, but he's fighting scared. But that's just me.

[Atocep]

Judging from the 3 different scores I've seen for the fight, this one is fairly split so far.

[SirFozzie]

the espn feed has two guys giving the rounds, one seems to be giving all the close rounds to Mayweather, the other to De La Hoya, how do you score it, DC?

[Young Drachma]

Oscar is fighting like a busy rabbit. He's trying really hard to land punches, but they just seem like they're really that effective to me. He's fighting for a decision, rather than to try knock out Mayweather.

That said, it's a close fight and if De La Hoya can keep this going for the rest of the fight, he might be able to land a split decision.

But....it's a long fight and I haven't seen anything from him that makes me think that he'll really be able to do that.

Just saw John McCain. He likes what he sees, apparently.

I think De La Hoya might have barely won Round 6. I mean, it's close.

Oscar has only landed 25% of his punches in this fight. Mayweather is landing about 40% of his.

[Atocep]

I'm trying to watch the Mets game, keep up with this fight, and watch the last 2 minues of the Jazz/Rockets......

[Young Drachma]

So far in the 7th, it's started similar to others. De La Hoya comes out with a fury and gets Mayweather on the ropes and starts that thing he does.

And now they're in the middle of the ring, where Mayweather seems to want things to be. He just landed a hell of a body shot. Ouch. I wonder how many of those Oscar can take.

I think Mayweather knows he has to get a knockout. Oscar can keep on doing what he's doing and he can win this thing.

[Young Drachma]

HBO is scoring it 67-66 so far in favor of Mayweather.

[Young Drachma]

Wow. Oscar is serious. Just putting it on him just a minute ago. Mayweather is fighting like a technican. He's trying to conserve his punches and is making them effective when he throws them. But...I'm not convinced it's really doing a whole lot for him in this particular fight. Especially as it gets further down the line.

[Atocep]

So far in the 7th, it's started similar to others. De La Hoya comes out with a fury and gets Mayweather on the ropes and starts that thing he does.

And now they're in the middle of the ring, where Mayweather seems to want things to be. He just landed a hell of a body shot. Ouch. I wonder how many of those Oscar can take.

I think Mayweather knows he has to get a knockout. Oscar can keep on doing what he's doing and he can win this thing.

Oscar has to keep Mayweather on the ropes or he'll just get outboxed in the center of the ring. Oscar's style in his last several fights has been to stand in the center of the ring, thats the main reason I saw this as a mismatch.

Oscar could very well catch Floyd with a left hook late in this one to end it if he starts to gamble.. I'll be suprised if Mayweather gets a knockout, he just doesn't have the power Oscar does.

[Cringer]

Mexican national anthem. Interesting.

De La Hoya had the Mexican anthem played? Not sure why that would be interesting, he is a mexican-american and it is Cinco De Mayo. Makes sense to me.

[Joe]

De La Hoya had the Mexican anthem played? Not sure why that would be interesting, he is a mexican-american and it is Cinco De Mayo. Makes sense to me.

Interesting because he is from California maybe

[SirFozzie]

what's the HBO scoring? ESPN's all over the place..

[Young Drachma]

78-72 after 10 rounds on HBO

[Atocep]

78-72 after 10 rounds on HBO


Wow, everything else I'm seeing has a slight edge for Mayweather.

[sabotai]

Well it sucks here too. In the 10th round of the first fight (little over an hour ago), it cuts out and it hasn't come back on. Been trying to call since it cut out and it's been busy.

Fuckin Comcast... :(

[Young Drachma]

De La Hoya had the Mexican anthem played? Not sure why that would be interesting, he is a mexican-american and it is Cinco De Mayo. Makes sense to me.

I replied, but my PC crashed.

Basically...I was saying that it was interesting because I never get to hear the Mexican anthem. Obviously used to the Canadian anthem because of hockey and Blue Jays baseball. But...never hear the Mexican anthem due to the lack of major league teams there.

So it was interesting to hear it sung.

[Young Drachma]

They avoid showing Mayweather's corner, because all Mayweather's uncle is doing is swearing and say stuff about De La Hoya.

107-102 Mayweather on HBO card going into the last round.

Oscar is going for the knockout.

[Young Drachma]

De La Hoya is throwing a ton of punches and has all day. And the thing is, he's not really landing them and they aren't that effective. The problem is, Mayweather hasn't put him away at all. This is one of those fights where you wish the rounds were a minute longer or something. The crowd is beyond Oscar almost unanimously and so, people watching who aren't close, might be swayed by that.

[Young Drachma]

Last minute of the 12th. Mayweather is laughing a lot when Oscar gets him on the ropes. But I think he knows that this thing is over.

Hell of a fight, all of the way to the end.

[Young Drachma]

It'll be very interesting to see what the judges decide.

[Young Drachma]

HBO final card says 116-112 Mayweather.

[Young Drachma]

Mayweather's dad went over to him to give him a hug after the fight. What a bizarre situation.

That said, the fans probably won't be very happy with anything other than a De La Hoya fight. I hope that they don't entertain doing it again, because I doubt Oscar could do this again.

He fought valiantly against a stacked deck arguably.

[Young Drachma]

Here come the final scores.

[Young Drachma]

115-113 De La Hoya
116-112 Mayweather
115-113 Mayweather

[Young Drachma]

De La Hoya looks as if he's surprised at the outcome.

[Young Drachma]

Fans are screaming "Bullshit" in the audience.

But c'mon, you can't land 24% of your punches and expect to win a fight. Sorry. Not when the other guy lands 57%.

Mayweather said he's going to retire and said that he wanted to thank his father.

[Young Drachma]

Reiterating that he's going to retire after this fight.

[Young Drachma]

De La Hoya is saying that he believed he won the fight. Basically, he's saying that you have to "decisively" beat the Champion. But...umm...right. Oscar was never "winning" this fight. He was just fighting to stay in it.

He looks a lot better now in this post-fight interview than he did at any time in this fight.

[st.cronin]

What are the qualifications to become a boxing judge anyway?

You have to be willing to deal in cash.

[Young Drachma]

Now on ESPN News that the fight was closer than it really was. People clearly weren't watching.

[JeffNights]

This was the fight that supposedly will save boxing? I'll pass thanks.

[MrIllini]

can we just dissolve boxing now?

[sabotai]

A few other people on the TBCB forum also said they lost their feed for the fight. I wonder if this is going to effect PPV buys. I mean, technically I'm a "PPV buy", but if Comcast expects me to pay there will be a lot of raising of hell.

[Logan]

Now on ESPN News that the fight was closer than it really was. People clearly weren't watching.

Just read through your comments and agreed with everything you said. I was heavily rooting for Oscar, but he just didn't do enough. I think maybe one or two punches actually fazed Floyd, while Floyd caught him with maybe 5 or 6 really good ones. I was stunned to hear that first score giving it to Oscar, so I'm even more stunned that people were surprised at it.

Lampley and Stewart were right on with their ongoing analysis -- why did Oscar abandon his jab around the 8th round? It led to Floyd getting cornered and Oscar delivered all of his damage that way. I understand that it left Oscar open to Floyd's quick counters, and the heavy jabbing would wear Oscar out for the later rounds...but he should have realized that was his only chance.

Overall, I enjoyed the fight, it was worth the money, but there shouldn't be a rematch. Not with the crazy hype this one got for what ended up being a good fight, tactically, but not necessarily overly entertaining.

[Cringer]

I replied, but my PC crashed.

Basically...I was saying that it was interesting because I never get to hear the Mexican anthem. Obviously used to the Canadian anthem because of hockey and Blue Jays baseball. But...never hear the Mexican anthem due to the lack of major league teams there.

So it was interesting to hear it sung.

Gotchya.

Interesting because he is from California maybe

That doesn't mean too much to many mexican-americans. They still show pride in Mexico, even if born in the U.S.

On a side note, it is Cinco De Mayo, and I have 9,546 bottles of Corona and Negro Medolo in my possession and can't drink a single one. Shit!

[SirFozzie]

This fight shows why folks prefer MMA, at least to me. At least in MMA, it's a LOT easier to determine who's won or lost a round (and yes, it's not perfect)... but look at the insanity of this fight, and the variation in scoring.

The three minute rounds don't help either, compared to the longer rounds. Less Talking, more fighting..

(the fact that MMA bout goes like a maximum of 30 minutes once a fight starts (5 5 minute rounds (and that's only for championship fights!) + a minutes break in between), compared to the 50+minutes of a boxing match, 12 3 minute rounds plus the breaks in between) Means stinkers don't have as much chance to turn your audience off.

[bselig]

I didn't have very high image quality and I'm not a huge boxing fan, but it seemed like the fight was a more lopsided then the scoring reflected and a lot more lopsided then the sports media is acting like it was

Additionally, it was pretty dull

[Logan]

This fight shows why folks prefer MMA, at least to me. At least in MMA, it's a LOT easier to determine who's won or lost a round (and yes, it's not perfect)... but look at the insanity of this fight, and the variation in scoring.

The three minute rounds don't help either, compared to the longer rounds. Less Talking, more fighting..

(the fact that MMA bout goes like a maximum of 30 minutes once a fight starts (5 5 minute rounds (and that's only for championship fights!) + a minutes break in between), compared to the 50+minutes of a boxing match, 12 3 minute rounds plus the breaks in between) Means stinkers don't have as much chance to turn your audience off.

I gotta say, I'm really impartial to UFC and the variations (if I'm at a friend's place and they have it on, I'll watch, but that's where my interest ends), but I didn't appreciate Lampley's little spiel about why what we saw in the ring tonight requires so much more skill than MMA, etc. I'm sure HBO had him say all that, but come on...you have my money already, I don't need the reassurance that I've paid for a good product.

[SirFozzie]

Lampley's trying to push back the tide. This was the fight that was supposed to save boxing.

Um, nope.

[bselig]

Just goes to show the strength of the De La Hoya brand name and his promotional skills, because there's no way a fight with Mayweather is going to be some kind of huge crowd pleaser that 'saves' the sport

[Young Drachma]

I think the media billed it as the fight to save boxing. Not the folks who promoted said that. Even still, it was a good enough fight and I don't regret having bought, but it's unlikely I'd do that again anytime soon..even with the hype that surrounds.

[kingfc22]

I still don't see how that one judge had Oscar winning. I was rooting for him to win, but I would have scored it 116-112 and at best 115-113 Mayweather.

[Young Drachma]

Something they said earlier was that Oscar has such a pull on the judges that all he has to do is go 12 rounds and he could use the crowd to get him a win. And I think with that one judge, that's probably what he got.

[Arles]

I thought last night's fight was solid from a boxing technician standpoint and was worth the money (esp with the undercards) - but count me as one person hopeful that Mayweather retires. Unless he is fighting a very active opponent (like Oscar), his fights are almost unwatchable. It's akin to old Knicks/Heat teams in the 90s, the NJ Devils teams in the 90s or the Dick Bennett teams in college hoops. That style may be effective but it is extremely trying to watch.

That said, Mayweather deserved the win and Oscar just couldn't keep up the level of activity (esp with his jab) to get a decision.

[Anthony]

i liked it. i bought the PPV around 11:15 EST just to watch the main event. i watched it with my wife, and it was entertaining. not worth the whole $55, but whatever, we're not boxing connoisseurs. i watched it cuz the fight had the potential to be legendary (or so i believed). i'm no mayweather historian, but arles said it best - his style of fighting is not condusive to exciting boxing. oscar was right in the post-fight interview- if he didn't press him there wouldn't be any fight.

i don't think mayweather should have won. the way he was boxing wouldn't have resulted in any type of KO or definitive win. he was playing ultra-defensive, keep-away boxing. yawn. anyone with quickness can do that. lay back in the cut and just try to connect when you see an opening. oscar had him against the ropes and was the clear aggressor, and willingness to fight and to take the fight to someone should count for something.

oh well. i wouldn't call this the fight to save boxing, but i've wasted $55 on worse things in my life. it was enjoyable.

[AlexB]

My 2p - it was a good but not great fight. Oscar was winning after 7, just, due to his aggression, coming forward and throwing enough punches. But Pretty Boy won all of the last three and possibly the 9th as well as Oscar tired, and I would have given him the fight by 2 or maybe three rounds.

[Anthony]

Oscar was not tired. these fighters train to fight 12 rounds. you don't think he didn't specifically train to fight an elusive boxer like Mayweather. that's just lazy commentary. "oh, he's older than mayweather and not as quick, he should be getting tired by the later rounds". commentators are just grasping for straws and that's one of the storylines they focused on. i liked it when one of the HBO commentators, i think it was the black guy, kept mentioning the potential fatigue of de la hoya when it was still in the middle rounds and one of the other announcers went "but he's not tired now", as if to say "give it a rest - it's only the 6th round and you're pulling the 'fatigue card' out already".

fatigue was not a factor here. just hard to look good when the other guy is playing keep-away. what i think happened was the crowd getting behind de lay hoya after every major offense he went on kinda made him think he was winning. let's face it, they're not tabulating how many punches they're throwing/landing. probably honestly thought he was ahead and with the aggression he showed and the fact that mayweather was fighting out of the corner for most of the fight i wouldn't blame him for thinking he was ahead in the scorecards. at no point can you ever say mayweather was taking the fight to de lay hoya. at no point did he ever put himself in a position to end the fight. and for that he shouldn't have won.

[Young Drachma]

I don't buy De La Hoya's post-fight interview where he basically says "I'm the champ, you have to take it away from me." As if Mayweather has to work harder to earn the bout than Oscar does.

That comparison to the Devils of the 1990s is a apt one. Might not be fun to watch, but it gets the job done.

And I don't care how aggressive a guy looks, you can't expect to win a fight landing less than 30% of your punches, when the other guy is getting you cleanly with over half of his. Especially when after you hit him, he just laughs it off, gets off the ropes and pops you with a strong jab.

Oscar did put up a great effort and I didn't have a dog in this hunt, really. I don't particularly like either of them and I just wanted to see a good bout.

[astrosfan64]

I don't like Oscar or Flyod. I was intrigue by the fight so I rented it. I recorded it and I've rewatched it.

Boxing is just flawed period.

All Mayweather did was "RUN" from him all fight and slip in single punches here and there.

The "POWER PUNCH" stat is complete BS. He couldn't hurt Oscar. Flyod's power punch is no where near as hard as Oscars. So who cares that he lands more. THAT IS A FUCKING DUMB ASS STAT.

You could see the look on Flyod's face quite a few times that Oscar hurt him and he was a bit shook up.

They need to bring back the 15 round fights for big bouts, twelve is to short.

[Calis]

Watched this one last night as well, first Boxing PPV I've bought in several years.

It wasn't bad, but it was not great. I hadn't really seen Mayweather fight, just heard about it and I was pretty dissapointed. He's amazingly quick and precise, but as said before he's not at all exciting to watch. The fight wasn't that close though.

I don't think I'll be getting another boxing PPV for several more years.

Now bring on Rampage vs. Chuck!

[Logan]

I don't like Oscar or Flyod. I was intrigue by the fight so I rented it. I recorded it and I've rewatched it.

Boxing is just flawed period.

All Mayweather did was "RUN" from him all fight and slip in single punches here and there.

The "POWER PUNCH" stat is complete BS. He couldn't hurt Oscar. Flyod's power punch is no where near as hard as Oscars. So who cares that he lands more. THAT IS A FUCKING DUMB ASS STAT.

You could see the look on Flyod's face quite a few times that Oscar hurt him and he was a bit shook up.

They need to bring back the 15 round fights for big bouts, twelve is to short.

Yes, forget about the power punch stats. There were about 8 big punches landed in this fight: Oscar had 2, Floyd had 6.

[astrosfan64]

Yes, forget about the power punch stats. There were about 8 big punches landed in this fight: Oscar had 2, Floyd had 6.

And noone was ever really "hurt" but Mayweather was shook up a couple of times.

As much shit as mayweather talked, he should of actually fought oscar instead of run from him.

[kmbgolf]

oscar throughout his career tired in 11 and 12 round it was not lazy commentary it was fact.Mayweather could of stayed on the outside and beat him with just his jab.Oscar was trying to steal rounds with the pity pat punches.In my mind it wasnt even close.mayweather is a spoiled lil cocky kid but no question moving up to oscars weight andd still DOMINATING is what he did.

[astrosfan64]

oscar throughout his career tired in 11 and 12 round it was not lazy commentary it was fact.Mayweather could of stayed on the outside and beat him with just his jab.Oscar was trying to steal rounds with the pity pat punches.In my mind it wasnt even close.mayweather is a spoiled lil cocky kid but no question moving up to oscars weight andd still DOMINATING is what he did.

He ran

[Anthony]

oscar throughout his career tired in 11 and 12 round it was not lazy commentary it was fact.Mayweather could of stayed on the outside and beat him with just his jab.Oscar was trying to steal rounds with the pity pat punches.In my mind it wasnt even close.mayweather is a spoiled lil cocky kid but no question moving up to oscars weight andd still DOMINATING is what he did.

checking his wikipedia (fight history), 9 of his last 14 fights went to the 11th/12th rounds. he won 5 of those 9.

it's quite obvious Mayweather's strategy was to make this go the distance. he didn't fight like someone who was looking for a knockout, and didn't throw any punches that look like they were intended to be rather damaging. he apparently won the fight he set out to fight - defense coupled with accurate counter punching. look at the fight and see how much time Mayweather spent in the corner, on the ropes. the few times i saw de la hoya in the corner i saw him step up to mayweather and mayweather would back off. that's not champion-style boxing. that playing not to lose boxing. the end result is it paid off, but it was not a convincing win by any means.

and don't give me "mayweather connected with more punches". yeah, if all you do is throw these ticky tack jabs that connect, your accuracy will be high. hardly any of this punches, save for one, *maybe* two rounds, were of the knock-your-block-off variety. if this is the best pound for pound boxer, an example of a supreme fighter at his prime, then yes, the sport is in major trouble.

[DeToxRox]

The only recent fights that showcase the beauty of boxing on the biggest of stages was the entire Ward/Gatti triology.

Those three fights were better then anything MMA I've ever seen and I watch quite a bit of MMA.

[Senator]

I think they should bring back Bowe vs Gollota and let them hit each other in the nuts for 12 rounds, while in between the trainers throw things at each other.

[kmbgolf]

If someone is moving up in weight to fight and there stratetgy is to try to (knock his block of) u will lose.If you watch a replay witch I did you will see mayweather scored with more power punches.When Oscar got him up against the ropes he would wildly throw like a amateur and just about all of them would miss or get blocked.Oscar was a good fighter who stepped up to fight the pound for pound best fighter,but it was not close.

[astrosfan64]

If someone is moving up in weight to fight and there stratetgy is to try to (knock his block of) u will lose.If you watch a replay witch I did you will see mayweather scored with more power punches.When Oscar got him up against the ropes he would wildly throw like a amateur and just about all of them would miss or get blocked.Oscar was a good fighter who stepped up to fight the pound for pound best fighter,but it was not close.

Mayweather doesn't have a power punch.

[duff88]

The fight was really not as close as they said it was. I can't believe a judge gave a 115-113 scorecard for De la Hoya... I had it:


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TOTAL
Mayweather 10 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 116
De la Hoya 9 10 10 10 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 10 112

It was a boring technical fight like Mayweather does all the time. He's pretty impressive though, he looks effortless out there but he is pretty much unhittable.

I wasn't that excited though. Currently I'm really into the Super Middleweight category. Hopefully Joe Calzaghe stops running away and finally face Mikkel Kessler. Then my current personnal favourite Lucian Bute can beat one of them.

[mtolson]

Not that I am a referree or anything, but I had the fight 115-113 for Oscar. Honestly, Floyds connect % appeared to be a a lot lower to my eye then what compustat showed. He didn't appear to be connecting anywhere near what they claimed.

Oscar had the belt and took the fight to Floyd. I don't think Floyd did anything to win the fight. He presented very little effective agression. I agree with Oscar, you want the champs belt then BEAT HIM !!!!

And for what is worth, I am more of a Mayweather fan than a De La Hoya one.

[Dr. Sak]

There is a story on ESPN.com already talking of a rematch.

[Julio Riddols]

The only recent fights that showcase the beauty of boxing on the biggest of stages was the entire Ward/Gatti triology.

Those three fights were better then anything MMA I've ever seen and I watch quite a bit of MMA.

Damn straight. If anything could have "saved" boxing, those fights are three prime examples of what it would take.

[Logan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons

"As for Floyd Sr., he looks like a cross between Otis Nixon and the Predator."


http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pics/otis_nixon_autograph.jpg

+

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/0/05/300px-Predator_1.jpg

=

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20070503/capt.sge.uyv27.030507195504.photo01.photo.default-381x496.jpg

[Karlifornia]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons

"As for Floyd Sr., he looks like a cross between Otis Nixon and the Predator."


http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pics/otis_nixon_autograph.jpg

+

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/0/05/300px-Predator_1.jpg

=

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20070503/capt.sge.uyv27.030507195504.photo01.photo.default-381x496.jpg

Wow. Fantastic call there.

[Emiliano]

I have to say, I was a little disappointed. Good, technical fight, but not certainly a great one. Clearly, De La Hoya was going for the KO, but his weight (and power, IMO) advantage didn't really bother Mayweather, who was truly unhittable.
In the end, Mayweather's major effectiveness and technique made him won the fight. I had it 115-113 for him (and I really don't like Mayweather), but I knew it would have been a split decision. I agree with others saying that Mayweather didn't do anything spectacular to won the fight and the title.

Yeah, I hope in a rematch (especially if it'll cost only 10 € like this one...:)), but I think it'll be more or less the same story, with neither of the 2 risking too much. It's like the Hopkins-Taylor fights last year. I hope I'm wrong, though...

[Atocep]

2.15 million buys and still counting, sets the all-time PPV buy record for boxing. The ear-bite match between Tyson and Holyfield had the record at 1.99 million buys.

hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2865349

[sabotai]

Wow. I didn't expect there to be that many. I would have thought 1.4-1.6, in that range at most.

[Atocep]

Wow. I didn't expect there to be that many. I would have thought 1.4-1.6, in that range at most.

The thing that scares me is I think this will fuel the "every title fight needs to be on PPV" mentality instead of allowing fighters to build a following and then cash in on the big title fights.