Some time back Charley Steiner wrote a piece for HOFMAG.com entitled “Boxing Has Fallen And Can’t Get Up.” The reasons were many and varied and for the most part hard to argue with. The simple truth is there are no longer any star fighters. There are great fighters, guys with names like Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. However, only one star remains. On Saturday night Oscar De la Hoya takes to the ring for what might in fact be boxing’s last great night.
For one more night, we will remember the spectacle that was boxing.
The energy and excitement that was Dempsey vs Tunney, Louis vs Schmeling, Robinson vs Graziano, Ali-Frazier, and Hagler vs Leonard or Leonard Duran. Our popular culture is rich with books, plays and movies that pay tribute to boxing. HOFMAG.com even picked a boxer, Ali, as the Most Important Person in Sports History. But, while mixed martial arts competitions now reign as America’s most popular form of hand to hand combat, even UFC fans will be laying down their pay per view bucks one more time.
That one time is May 5th. Boxing’s last great star De la Hoya attempts to defend his WBC junior middleweight crown against undefeated welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
I had a chance to meet De la Hoya in January as he joined us to shoot an episode of George Lopez that will air Tuesday night at 8:30 eastern/pacific on ABC. I am happy to report that De la Hoya was everything you would hope. He was refreshingly polite, gracious and self effacing. He had come in as a favor to George, but he stayed on the set until the last autograph was signed and the final photograph snapped.
De la Hoya was on that day as he will be on Saturday, the Golden Boy, All-American warrior. It’s no act. If you’ve watched the terrific HBO documentary De la Hoya/Mayweather 24/7, you are aware of the contrast between the two fighters and know there is no love lost between them. Their dislike for each other is a real as the damage they can do with their fists.
Does Oscar have a chance on Saturday night? Most experts don’t think so. But don’t count out the former champ. And don’t count out boxing. At least for one more night.
Unfortunately, who’s going to pay to watch it?
Comment by Don41 — April 30, 2007 @ 12:21 pm
This one I might pay for and I haven’t paid for a fight since Buster knocked out Tyson. has it really been almost 25-years since there was a fight worth watching?
Comment by jackmack — April 30, 2007 @ 4:00 pm
Let’s see, the last fight I paid for was Hagler-Hearns on a big screen - was that 1985? Ugh!
Comment by Don41 — April 30, 2007 @ 7:52 pm
Don 41……are you kidding…the grosses on the De la Hoya fight will be monster numbers. You should only comment about things you are knowledgeable about……
Comment by ernest t — May 1, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
ernest t … probably monster numbers for today’s boxing world, but could you imagine what an Ali-Frazier fight would bring in today’s market? Oh, and let me guess, you were probably a Frazier fan, too! And, by the way, who cares….it’s boxing. Go watch the UFC…
Comment by Don41 — May 2, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
Hey ernest t… check out the Blog by UFC writer Grant Gordon. I’d be interested in your “knowledgeable” comment……..
Comment by Don41 — May 5, 2007 @ 7:46 am
Hey ernest t…. how did you make out with your Saturday fight? Think it saved boxing? I think it is YOU who should only comment about things in which you are knowledgable! Say good night boxing!
Comment by Don41 — May 7, 2007 @ 4:48 pm