Mayweather vs. De La Hoya - Fight Preview

Only four days remain until the fight of the year between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Taking place on May 5th from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, six-division world champ De La Hoya will attempt to do what no other boxer has been able to do - defeat the quick-as-lightning, four-division champion Mayweather. When these two former Olympians clash, De La Hoya’s WBC Junior Middleweight title will be on the line.

Whether you’re a casual fan or a boxing fanatic, it’s always a good idea to know as much as you can about the two men stepping into the ring. That kind of knowledge comes in especially handy if you’re thinking of making a wager through a sportsbook like Bodog.

Luckily, I’ve done all the work for you. All you have to do is read on.

PREVIEW OF MAYWEATHER/DE LA HOYA

OSCAR DE LA HOYA

De La Hoya is 34 years old, weighs 154 pounds, and stands 5’ 10 ½”. He was born in Montebello, California but now calls Puerto Rico home. His trainer is Freddie Roach.

De La Hoya has a great left hand and loves to hook off of the jab. Oscar is confident in his abilities and has a nice combination of speed and power. While he possesses excellent technical skills, he can also stand in and trade leather with the best of them.

De La Hoya has had a number of marquee matches over his career. Last year, he destroyed Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga in six rounds with devastating left hooks and right crosses to capture the WBC Junior Middleweight belt. He also has wins over Julio Cesar Chavez, Ike Quartey, Pernell Whitaker, Felix Sturm, Oba Carr, and Antonio Vargas.

He has lost twice to Shane Mosley via decision, and Bernard Hopkins knocked him out in the 9th round of their fight with a powerful left hook to the liver. He also lost to Felix Trinidad, when he chose to coast the last few rounds and allow Trinidad to come from behind.

De La Hoya is particularly adept at firing off combinations, and he is very good at finishing off opponents when he gets them in trouble. His footwork is strong, and he has good balance and speed. He is sometimes prone to slug in an effort to please his Mexican fan base, and he has been plagued with injuries to his left hand throughout the second half of his career.

De La Hoya is one of the premier boxers of his generation. He combines phenomenal in-ring skills with massive crossover appeal. In a time when boxing has faltered in popularity, “The Golden Boy” is one of the few consistent draws.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR.

“Pretty Boy” Floyd is undefeated and currently the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He is 30 years old, weighs 151 pounds, and stands 5’8”. He hails from Grand Rapids, Michigan and is trained by Roger Mayweather.

Mayweather is fast beyond belief and humbles opponents with blistering combinations of hooks, crosses, jabs, uppercuts and overhand rights. His foot and hand speed are incredible, and his lateral movement allows him to slip and slide around punches in the vein of a young Roy Jones Jr.

Mayweather had a tendency to make his foes look silly with his speed, a prime example being his fight last November against then-champ Carlos Baldomir. Mayweather would dart in, peck away at the champ, then move out and reload. While it was an impressive domination of a world-class fighter, the crowd grew restless, and many fans headed for the exits before the fight was even over.

He dominated Zab Judah over 12 rounds, knocked out Sharmba Mitchell in 6, and stopped Arturo Gatti with left hooks and right hands in the 6th. He has also defeated the likes of Genaro Hernandez, Diego Corrales, Henry Bruseles, and Angel Manfredy.

Mayweather is a very precise puncher and possesses the fastest hands in the sport. While he can sometimes seem overconfident, he has more than earned the right to think of himself as the best in the sport.

Most experts assume that Mayweather will easily outpoint his opponent and coast to a 12-round decision. No doubt, that’s what Floyd will be trying to do. De La Hoya, on the other hand, will be looking to catch Mayweather along the ropes and punish him up close and personal.

It’s also interesting to note that HBO has been airing a four-part show leading up to the fight which grants unlimited access to both training camps, and Mayweather, with his brash attitude and love for shiny things, has slowly morphed into the self-absorbed villain. It’s an excellent tool for promoting the fight, and there’s no doubt that while most expect Mayweather to win, the large portion of the crowd will be cheering for the underdog De La Hoya.

Be sure to check back on Sunday, when we’ll have the results of the fight. In the meantime, you can read more about the upcoming bout by clicking on the following articles:

Mayweather vs. De La Hoya

Mayweather vs. De La Hoya - Bodog Props

Mayweather vs. De La Hoya - Fight Preview