Big Apple Boxing Thoughts 05.10.08: De La Hoya & Mayweather

Posted by Jonathan Yaghoubi on 05.10.2008

Forbes vs. De La Hoya: Just what Oscar needed to prepare for Mayweather.

Before fellow boxing columnist Raymando Dioses posted his article on Oscar De La Hoya's chances in a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, Jr, I had already written down my own thoughts on the success of his comeback fight against Steve Forbes. After reading his article, I have kind of changed up my tune as I will respond to his article and take the opposing view.

Saturday night's fight was exactly what it was supposed to be. It was a real tune-up for Oscar De La Hoya for his huge money rematch Money Mayweather. While a knockout would have been a sexier way to start the road to the rematch, it was not the worst thing in the world that he would go the full 12 rounds with Forbes. Let's first remember that Forbes had never been knocked out in the ring. I don't care what kind of career you have had but if you never been knocked down in your career, that's a pretty impressive feat. Forbes would end putting a much better performance that his "Contender" counterpart Alfonso Gomez who was destroyed by Miguel Cotto last month.

Forbes took to Oscar every chance he could. He would end up doing enough damage to swell up both of Oscar's eyes and make his nose red. The point is that Oscar needed to go the full 12 rounds to have a better chance at Floyd. Everyone knows that in Oscar's career that his one weakness is fatigue. He tends tire badly down the stretch in big fights and had nothing left top take in those precious championship rounds. It cost him two times against Mosely, Tito Trinidad, and The first Mayweather fight.

Oscar has to find a way to keep with Floyd's amazing hand speed and accuracy in those championship rounds as they cost him dearly in the first fight as he was totally outclassed in those last four rounds. With this last fight with Forbes, I am going to agree with Emmanuel Steward's assessment of Oscar during the HBO telecast. He looked extremely crisp and sharp in the fight. He was always on his toes during the fight and that is when Oscar is at his best. It was obvious that Oscar learned his lesson from the Felix Sturm disaster when he looked slow, fat, and out of shape in his decision victory. Forbes was no bum folks. I sat and watched this fight with many other knowledgeable fight fans and we all agreed that Forbes was doing a decent job on putting up a fight. He was not just there to stand in front of Oscar for a Payday and take a beating. I am not saying the man is Sugar Ray Robinson but he was at least watch able. De La Hoya needs the rounds of competition to better prepare for Floyd. I do not think he will be able to knockout Floyd if he is going to win.

He needs that stamina worked up and with Floyd, Sr. back in his corner; I think it increases Oscar's chances of pulling off the upset. There is no long year layoff this time. Meanwhile, Floyd will be almost 10 months than his bout with Hatton which will be longer layoff. This will favor Oscar more than people think but we won't know until that ring bells. I might not saying he is going to win but I think he has a hell of a chance and just think he has one more good fight in him.