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WBC Light Middleweight Title - May 5th, 2007 (11:00pm)
@ MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
@ MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
5/5 WBC Light Middleweight Title - May 5th,Mayweather Jr vs Oscar de la Hoya
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Spartacus
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LAS VEGAS (Ticker) -- Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are expected to stage a classic battle on Saturday for the WBC light middleweight title. But it looks to be a one-time only event.
Mayweather, the four-divison world champion, plans to retire after the fight.
"There's nothing else for me to prove," Mayweather said. "I've beat everybody. I've made a ton of money. I'm not going to keep fighting (after Saturday)."
De La Hoya, the only fighter to win world titles in six different weight classes, also confirmed that retirement is on his horizon.
De La Hoya weighed in at 154 pounds on Friday. Last week, he was at 158. Mayweather weighed in at 150.
De La Hoya's resume is second to none - at least heading into Saturday night's fight at the MGM Grand. Winning this fight - one that is expected to shatter records by grossing more than $100 million - undoubtedly would put an exclamation point on his storied career.
Despite being a 2-to-1 underdog and squaring off with a man that has never lost, De La Hoya and his camp remains confident that this fight will be a benchmark victory - one that could fully open the gates to retirement.
"My guy is ready to go," said Freddie Roach, De La Hoya's trainer. "Don't miss this one. It might not last that long."
Last May, De La Hoya (38-4, 30 KOs) was convincing as he floored Ricardo Mayorga three times, twice in the sixth round. Having dropped two of three bouts entering the match, De La Hoya showed he could still compete at a high level and gained confidence for his preparations for Mayweather.
For this bout, De La Hoya left his normal training grounds in Big Bear, California and trained in Puerto Rico, thriving in an intense camp that he said has him in the best shape of his life.
He claims he is physically and mentally prepared to handle Mayweather's quickness and toughness and has fought the fight repeatedly in his mind, visualizing a victory.
"I expect the best from Floyd Mayweather, and I am prepared for that," De La Hoya said. "I'm confident with the game plan executed."
While walking away with a victory is De La Hoya's main objective, he can take solace win or lose with the success of the fight. Backed by his Golden Boy Promotions, the fight is serving as a bridge to De La Hoya's life after competition.
In addition to preparing for Mayweather (37-0, 24 KOs), De La Hoya has the added responsibility of attempting to put on a first-class event. That is not easy, some feel, with Mayweather and his camp constantly attacking De La Hoya with verbal assaults.
A little friendly exchange of words is good for any fight, but De La Hoya has said all week that Mayweather and his camp have gone too far.
"I'm so sick of having to shut him up," said De La Hoya, who started the promotion company last year with the focus of bringing boxing closer to Hispanic communities.
The pre-fight hype took another spin on Wednesday thanks to Mayweather's father, Floyd Sr., who has spent portions of the last few years not talking to his son.
After Floyd Mayweather Jr. refused to give his father - a former fighter and trainer - a ticket to the bout, De La Hoya and his company made sure the father would be in attendance.
The elder Mayweather trained De La Hoya for his fight with Mayorga but left his corner in January, stating the price wasn't right to train against his son.
It's these type of actions that have people associated with boxing talking positively about the future of the promotion company.
Even some in Mayweather's camp have shown their gratitude.
"I have a great deal of respect for Oscar," said Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's manager. "He really didn't have to take this fight, but he knew how good it would be for boxing."
Updated on Friday, May 4, 2007 5:48 pm EDT
Mayweather, the four-divison world champion, plans to retire after the fight.
"There's nothing else for me to prove," Mayweather said. "I've beat everybody. I've made a ton of money. I'm not going to keep fighting (after Saturday)."
De La Hoya, the only fighter to win world titles in six different weight classes, also confirmed that retirement is on his horizon.
De La Hoya weighed in at 154 pounds on Friday. Last week, he was at 158. Mayweather weighed in at 150.
De La Hoya's resume is second to none - at least heading into Saturday night's fight at the MGM Grand. Winning this fight - one that is expected to shatter records by grossing more than $100 million - undoubtedly would put an exclamation point on his storied career.
Despite being a 2-to-1 underdog and squaring off with a man that has never lost, De La Hoya and his camp remains confident that this fight will be a benchmark victory - one that could fully open the gates to retirement.
"My guy is ready to go," said Freddie Roach, De La Hoya's trainer. "Don't miss this one. It might not last that long."
Last May, De La Hoya (38-4, 30 KOs) was convincing as he floored Ricardo Mayorga three times, twice in the sixth round. Having dropped two of three bouts entering the match, De La Hoya showed he could still compete at a high level and gained confidence for his preparations for Mayweather.
For this bout, De La Hoya left his normal training grounds in Big Bear, California and trained in Puerto Rico, thriving in an intense camp that he said has him in the best shape of his life.
He claims he is physically and mentally prepared to handle Mayweather's quickness and toughness and has fought the fight repeatedly in his mind, visualizing a victory.
"I expect the best from Floyd Mayweather, and I am prepared for that," De La Hoya said. "I'm confident with the game plan executed."
While walking away with a victory is De La Hoya's main objective, he can take solace win or lose with the success of the fight. Backed by his Golden Boy Promotions, the fight is serving as a bridge to De La Hoya's life after competition.
In addition to preparing for Mayweather (37-0, 24 KOs), De La Hoya has the added responsibility of attempting to put on a first-class event. That is not easy, some feel, with Mayweather and his camp constantly attacking De La Hoya with verbal assaults.
A little friendly exchange of words is good for any fight, but De La Hoya has said all week that Mayweather and his camp have gone too far.
"I'm so sick of having to shut him up," said De La Hoya, who started the promotion company last year with the focus of bringing boxing closer to Hispanic communities.
The pre-fight hype took another spin on Wednesday thanks to Mayweather's father, Floyd Sr., who has spent portions of the last few years not talking to his son.
After Floyd Mayweather Jr. refused to give his father - a former fighter and trainer - a ticket to the bout, De La Hoya and his company made sure the father would be in attendance.
The elder Mayweather trained De La Hoya for his fight with Mayorga but left his corner in January, stating the price wasn't right to train against his son.
It's these type of actions that have people associated with boxing talking positively about the future of the promotion company.
Even some in Mayweather's camp have shown their gratitude.
"I have a great deal of respect for Oscar," said Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's manager. "He really didn't have to take this fight, but he knew how good it would be for boxing."
Updated on Friday, May 4, 2007 5:48 pm EDT
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Spartacus
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KY derby too tomorrowHumanTarget said:
Yes! Yes! Yes!
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Megalomaniac
Guest
Boxing is currupt and they need oscar to win to salvage the sport. Goldenboy productions is probably cut in somehow by don king and so I figure Oscar will get the win. This all could be nil if someone has a theory on why a floyd win would be better for the sport. I'm saying that Vince from the WWE is the best to pick this fight since he rigs shit like this all the time.
de la Hoya lose's it's his last fight. Anyone who's watched a fight know's about Buster Douglas, and Oscar is a great boxer still capable of landing the blow. This article is pretty interesting. Bottom line people will always pay to see a good fight.
Don't remeber where i found it.......
Every time boxing seems to be gasping its final breath, the sport surprises us and springs back to life. Yet there is no denying the underlying threats -- a lack of recognizable marketable stars, the emergence of mixed martial arts and the brutality of Ultimate Fighting Championship action that fascinates the young demographic.
Is boxing still viable? Can Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. deliver enough tonight in their 154-pound championship mega-fight (HBO Pay-Per-View, $54.95) to revive universal interest?
The signals were decidedly mixed Friday, an hour before De La Hoya and Mayweather stepped onto the scales at the MGM Grand for their official weigh-in.
You could walk across the casino floor at the MGM Grand and see former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. Right there. Standing in front of the $1 slot machines.
Wearing a baby blue track suit, a white Kangol cap and looking much heavier than his fighting weight, Lewis drew very little attention. He posed for a picture, and the folks at the slots nearby never stopped to look. Or miss a spin.
Winky Wright, the onetime undisputed super welterweight champion who is set to fight Bernard Hopkins on June 21 for the 170-pound title on HBO Pay-Per-View, ambled through the same "Studio Walk" that separates the MGM casino and the arena. He barely drew a stare.
But De La Hoya? Despite evidence he is in decline as a fighter because of his age (34), his 2-2 record over his past four fights and his emergence as a businessman and boxing promoter, De La Hoya remains the undisputed rey de la gente -- "king of the people" for the legions of Latino followers who worship the Golden Boy.
And Las Vegas, a five-hour drive from De La Hoya Ground Zero in East Los Angeles, is now teeming with Oscar's people. La gente made the pilgrimage. Perhaps they feel this may be the last time they see their man in the ring.
Fight week began with a hum in Vegas, but attained noticeable spark midday Friday once officials swung open the doors to the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The 2:30 p.m. weigh-in was advertised as public. Almost half the 16,500-seat arena was roped off, with a large stage set just outside the ring.
By 2 p.m., the place had reached capacity -- a record attendance for a weigh-in in Las Vegas -- and officials were turning away scores of angry fans at the door.
Mayweather (37-0, 24 KO's) stepped on the scale first, stripped to his polka-dot boxers, and weighed in at 150 pounds. Jumping up two weight classes gives Mayweather his long-awaited opportunity to destroy Golden Boy.
But it also forced Mayweather to pack on muscle. Many experts don't think it will slow his stunning footwork and blazing hands.
"I pick Floyd winning, but by a close decision," boxing historian Bert Sugar said. "To me, this fight revolves around Mayweather's speed."
Whether Pretty Boy will bring 12 rounds of punishment, rather than sit back cautiously, is the big question.
Mayweather drew boos from the packed seats as he stepped off the scale.
Then De La Hoya, with his right fist thrust into the air, moved across the floor toward the stage, and the arena erupted. Chants of "OSCAR! OSCAR!" nearly drowned out famed boxing announcer Michael Buffer's introduction.
De La Hoya raised both fists and stripped to a pair of black briefs with white trim, sending the crowd wild. He made weight exactly -- 154 pounds.
Will Golden Boy be able to counter Mayweather's incredible speed? His training with Freddie Roach has been all about that -- a focus on hand speed, aggression and quickness.
De La Hoya, 5-feet-11 inches, can probably pack on another 10 pounds by fight time, giving him a significant size advantage he already enjoys by virtue of stature (Mayweather stands 5-8).
If Golden Boy's signature left hook and channeled aggression can counter Mayweather's speed, the decided pre-fight advantage Pretty Boy has maintained could be compromised.
"We're prepared to fight in the center of the ring and we're prepared to chase him," De La Hoya promised. "Everybody has their humbling moment in life. I hope May 5 is (Mayweather's) time."
Boxing desperately wants to shatter every record and exploit every penny it can out of this eagerly awaited clash. The arena, despite ringside seats going for $2,000, sold out in three hours for an instant $19 million in revenue. All six closed-circuit venues in Las Vegas, where the fight can be viewed live for $50 a head, were nearly sold-out by midday Friday.
All told, revenues from all entities and from the 176 countries broadcasting the bout are expected to exceed $100 million. De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions is said to get a 70 percent cut of the profits.
De La Hoya the promoter and the fighter, knows he is central to the success of this fight. And to the future of a sport he loves. That's why he steps into the ring today.
"As a fighter, just to prove to myself that I can still do this, with the best," De La Hoya said. "And I think the second reason, yes, the business. And what it's going to do for boxing.
"All eyes will be on boxing come Saturday night and that's very important for me as a promoter. But I think my primary reason why I took this fight is to fight the best, continue to fight the best and beating the best. That's what I need come Saturday night."
Don't remeber where i found it.......
Every time boxing seems to be gasping its final breath, the sport surprises us and springs back to life. Yet there is no denying the underlying threats -- a lack of recognizable marketable stars, the emergence of mixed martial arts and the brutality of Ultimate Fighting Championship action that fascinates the young demographic.
Is boxing still viable? Can Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. deliver enough tonight in their 154-pound championship mega-fight (HBO Pay-Per-View, $54.95) to revive universal interest?
The signals were decidedly mixed Friday, an hour before De La Hoya and Mayweather stepped onto the scales at the MGM Grand for their official weigh-in.
You could walk across the casino floor at the MGM Grand and see former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. Right there. Standing in front of the $1 slot machines.
Wearing a baby blue track suit, a white Kangol cap and looking much heavier than his fighting weight, Lewis drew very little attention. He posed for a picture, and the folks at the slots nearby never stopped to look. Or miss a spin.
Winky Wright, the onetime undisputed super welterweight champion who is set to fight Bernard Hopkins on June 21 for the 170-pound title on HBO Pay-Per-View, ambled through the same "Studio Walk" that separates the MGM casino and the arena. He barely drew a stare.
But De La Hoya? Despite evidence he is in decline as a fighter because of his age (34), his 2-2 record over his past four fights and his emergence as a businessman and boxing promoter, De La Hoya remains the undisputed rey de la gente -- "king of the people" for the legions of Latino followers who worship the Golden Boy.
And Las Vegas, a five-hour drive from De La Hoya Ground Zero in East Los Angeles, is now teeming with Oscar's people. La gente made the pilgrimage. Perhaps they feel this may be the last time they see their man in the ring.
Fight week began with a hum in Vegas, but attained noticeable spark midday Friday once officials swung open the doors to the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The 2:30 p.m. weigh-in was advertised as public. Almost half the 16,500-seat arena was roped off, with a large stage set just outside the ring.
By 2 p.m., the place had reached capacity -- a record attendance for a weigh-in in Las Vegas -- and officials were turning away scores of angry fans at the door.
Mayweather (37-0, 24 KO's) stepped on the scale first, stripped to his polka-dot boxers, and weighed in at 150 pounds. Jumping up two weight classes gives Mayweather his long-awaited opportunity to destroy Golden Boy.
But it also forced Mayweather to pack on muscle. Many experts don't think it will slow his stunning footwork and blazing hands.
"I pick Floyd winning, but by a close decision," boxing historian Bert Sugar said. "To me, this fight revolves around Mayweather's speed."
Whether Pretty Boy will bring 12 rounds of punishment, rather than sit back cautiously, is the big question.
Mayweather drew boos from the packed seats as he stepped off the scale.
Then De La Hoya, with his right fist thrust into the air, moved across the floor toward the stage, and the arena erupted. Chants of "OSCAR! OSCAR!" nearly drowned out famed boxing announcer Michael Buffer's introduction.
De La Hoya raised both fists and stripped to a pair of black briefs with white trim, sending the crowd wild. He made weight exactly -- 154 pounds.
Will Golden Boy be able to counter Mayweather's incredible speed? His training with Freddie Roach has been all about that -- a focus on hand speed, aggression and quickness.
De La Hoya, 5-feet-11 inches, can probably pack on another 10 pounds by fight time, giving him a significant size advantage he already enjoys by virtue of stature (Mayweather stands 5-8).
If Golden Boy's signature left hook and channeled aggression can counter Mayweather's speed, the decided pre-fight advantage Pretty Boy has maintained could be compromised.
"We're prepared to fight in the center of the ring and we're prepared to chase him," De La Hoya promised. "Everybody has their humbling moment in life. I hope May 5 is (Mayweather's) time."
Boxing desperately wants to shatter every record and exploit every penny it can out of this eagerly awaited clash. The arena, despite ringside seats going for $2,000, sold out in three hours for an instant $19 million in revenue. All six closed-circuit venues in Las Vegas, where the fight can be viewed live for $50 a head, were nearly sold-out by midday Friday.
All told, revenues from all entities and from the 176 countries broadcasting the bout are expected to exceed $100 million. De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions is said to get a 70 percent cut of the profits.
De La Hoya the promoter and the fighter, knows he is central to the success of this fight. And to the future of a sport he loves. That's why he steps into the ring today.
"As a fighter, just to prove to myself that I can still do this, with the best," De La Hoya said. "And I think the second reason, yes, the business. And what it's going to do for boxing.
"All eyes will be on boxing come Saturday night and that's very important for me as a promoter. But I think my primary reason why I took this fight is to fight the best, continue to fight the best and beating the best. That's what I need come Saturday night."
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