Announcements
So Hood Magazine is
switching from
Print to Visual Format

Pre-Order 2 Disc DVD issue

Coming Soon 2009

So Hood Mag on MySpace!
So Hood Mag on YouTube!

De La Hoya, Mayweather Weighed In
Friday, 04 May 2007
Oscar De La Hoya weighed in at the 154-pound class limit Friday, while Floyd Mayweather Jr. weighed 150 for their super welterweight title fight.

It was the heaviest Mayweather has ever weighed for a fight. He weighed 147 for his last fight six months ago against Carlos Baldomir.

Mayweather moved up from welterweight after that fight to challenge De La Hoya for his WBC 154-pound title.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. hadn't stopped talking since he signed up for the one thing he really wanted, a megafight with Oscar De La Hoya that put boxing back in the spotlight.

When the two met at Friday's weigh-in, though, even Mayweather had run out of things to say.

The loquacious Pretty Boy did little more than give a dead-eyed stare to De La Hoya during their weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where they will meet Saturday night in one of the most anticipated - and hyped - fights in years.

There was nothing left to be said after months of preparation and name calling. Besides, both fighters know the 154-pound WBC title bout will be determined not by posturing or pay-per-view buys, but by tactics and tenacity in the ring.

"Anything he's said about me, anything I said about him, we can settle it in the ring," Mayweather said. "Can't say nothing to protect you there."

The fight has much more to offer than the personality clashes and family drama so endlessly chronicled in recent weeks seemingly everywhere, including on their own reality series. It's a compelling contrast of styles and skills, with Mayweather's superb defensive game contrasting with De La Hoya's punching power and size advantage.

Though De La Hoya (38-4, 30 KOs) seems more likely to really hit Mayweather (37-0, 24 KOs) than most of his previous opponents, can the Golden Boy do enough damage to hurt one of the quickest and most gifted fighters in recent times?

And will Mayweather risk trading punches with De La Hoya, or will he take the safe way out and try to box his way to a decision in what could be a lackluster fight?

Most oddsmakers and prognosticators favor Mayweather in a decision, but the odds have steadily dropped in De La Hoya's favor during fight week.

"I think everyone will be surprised to see what I can do," De La Hoya said. "We have a solid game plan for this fight, and he's motivated me every step of the way by the way he acts."

Though the hype promises a fight that could live in boxing history, true fight fans understand this matchup could be a huge anticlimax. That's because Mayweather has remained unbeaten largely by using his spectacular defensive techniques and speed to avoid getting seriously punished by any of his 37 previous opponents.

Both fighters made the 154-pound limit Friday, with Mayweather weighing just 150 pounds and De La Hoya hitting exactly 154. Rapper 50 Cent accompanied Mayweather to the stage and draped himself in Mayweather's numerous championship belts, while De La Hoya got most of the fan support from perhaps the biggest crowd ever to attend a weigh-in in this gambling city.

But De La Hoya could outweigh Mayweather even more by the time they step into the ring Saturday night, thanks to his larger frame. Mayweather, a champion in four weight classes, has never fought above 147 pounds, while De La Hoya has been fighting at 154 or heavier for the last six years.



  Be first to comment this article

Write Comment
  • ALL COMMENTS WILL BE PUBLISHED AFTER IT'S BEEN REVIEWED
  • ONLY PRESS THE SEND BUTTON ONCE
  • Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article.
  • Personal verbal attacks will be deleted.
  • Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed.
  • Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button.
  • Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
Comment:

Code:* Code

< Previous   Next >

Copyright © 2002-2008 SOHOOD.COM All Rights Reserved.
Your Ad Here