Moments ago at the post fight press conference following Floyd Mayweather?s decision win over Shane Mosley, Golden Boy Promotions? honcho Oscar De La Hoya was gushing over the undefeated fighter?s performance. In shutting down Mosley over the course of twelve rounds we saw Mayweather at his best and De La Hoya seemed to be slightly smitten.
?I have to admit that Floyd Mayweather has convinced me he is the best fighter in the world,? Oscar claimed. ?He convinced me and he convinced Shane. I am tempted to say, and some might disagree with me, that he is possibly the greatest fighter of all time.?
Bold proclamations indeed, but perhaps De La Hoya has the right to evaluate Mayweather, seeing as though he went to battle with him himself in May of 2007. On that night De La Hoya would lose a split decision to Mayweather and can recognize first hand the talent that the 33-year old possesses.
?He has the skills to beat anybody,? De La Hoya stated. ?Talent and work ethic. People all over the world are becoming fans of the talent he possesses. He fought a fighter in Shane Mosley who was supposed to be the most dangerous of his career and Mayweather showed us why he was the best.?
De La Hoya was then posed with the possibility of a Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao bout. Putting his recent domination of Mosley into consideration, the East LA native cant? help but feel that Floyd is in a different class.
?Yes I did fight all three of them,” Oscar conceded. “I have to be truthful with you. Mayweather is on a different level. He?s on a different level because he is a student of the game and he will dissect you outside of the ring and finish you inside of the ring. He knows how to get in your head and beat you mentally and then he will beat you physically.?
In December of 2008 we saw De La Hoya get dominated by Pacquiao in a fashion in which had never been done before. De La Hoya had no answer for the Filipino?s pinpoint left hands and failed to answer the bell for the ninth round. Despite tasting that bitter defeat De La Hoya still sees some weaknesses in Manny?s game.
?Pacquiao makes many mistakes,” De La Hoya said. “And that will fall into Mayweather?s hands easily. It will be an entreating fight because there is no stopping Pacquiao and there is no quit in Pacquiao. We feel a fight with Pacquiao and Mayweather will be an interesting fight but I have to tell you that Mayweather is by fast the best. Mayweather is special and we have to respect that.?
Closing out, De La Hoya reaffirmed that a Mayweather-Pacquiao bout is one that he would love to see. Despite the significance of the bout De La Hoya still feels that if either man is to budge at the negotiating table it has to be Pacquiao.
?Obviously we know what both fighters have to do. That?s the question that Richard [Schaefer] can answer for you with more detail. As far as I am concerned, Mayweather is the one to dictate and he is the one who says when, where and how. Mayweather is the king of the world now.?
