When I browsed through ESB?s headlines this morning, I was surprised to see the article penned by my colleague, Wray Edwards. The title of his piece was ?De La Hoya Has No Chance?. With all due respect to Mr. Edwards (who?s both an outstanding writer and an excellent photographer), I disagree.
Contrary to the opinion of my colleague, I believe that De La Hoya does have a chance against Mayweather. In fact, I think he has a pretty good chance for a multitude of reasons. That?s what made this fight so intriguing to me since it was first announced late last year. Mayweather is naturally more gifted and younger whereas De La Hoya is naturally bigger and has more big fight experience.
As things stand right now, there?s no doubt Floyd Mayweather Junior is the more talented boxer. He is the sport?s pound-for-pound king and has been for sometime. That?s what makes the sport so interesting?you can never tell how things will unfold, and sometimes, because of an off-night or a bad match-up in styles, the more talented fighter loses.
It?s true that Oscar has just won two of his past four fights, and it?s also true that his decision against Sturm was highly controversial. Even still, it?s fair to note that two of those fights were at middleweight?a division Oscar had no business fighting at in the first place. Furthermore, one of those bouts was against the ageless wonder, Bernard Hopkins?a foe who was too big, too strong, and too talented for De La Hoya.
