Full Court Press

I agree Roman. Gotta go with Floyd! I figure if he could out-quick Zab Juda, there is no way old man Delahoya will catch him. Delahoya's power and ring generalship is intruiging and it will be interesting to see if can catch lighting in a bottle.

Should be the same night that Dallas goes down and the Bulls strike first blood. Going to be a super sports day!

Call me crazy but I have a feeling that Oscar will catch Mayweather late in the fight (round 10 or 11) and knock him out. However, until that Mayweather will out box Oscar in what will seem like a one sided fight. Oscar will shock the world.

i think if oscar catches Floyd its all over but i agree that floyd is fast and the best pound for pound in the world. But, i do belive an upset is going to happen and i will be there to see it live . i just hope the money spent for the ticket is worth it because after this boxing match boxing is dieing a slow death because of all the crooks that took the game and give it a bad name.

Roman responds: How'd you get a ticket? Write back next week and tell me if you think it was worth the money.

I would have to disagree and put my money on Oscar. I agree that speed is important, but let's not forget that speed has always been one of De La Hoya's qualities. Sure he is older now, but power (another of his fortes) is the last to go in any fighter. Only once did a smaller opponent beat Oscar and that was Shane Mosley. Even though Mayweather's toughness might be underrated, I have to believe that Oscar is much tougher than Floyd - and a much better boxer. I cannot see Floyd backing up Oscar. In fact, I believe it will be the other way around for the entire fight.

Roman responds: It will be interesting.

More often than not, talent wins boxing matches. On March 5th, 2007, Mayweather has that advantage. Five years ago the talent ratio would have been a lot closer, therefore giving the edge to experience and De La Hoya. Oscar's no dummy. He can hold his own against the best, which may be the case pound for pound here, but I think 25+ million will get the juices flowin' if just to keep from taking a big one. Any short jab or Floyd corner disaster could give Oscar the fight, but the better fighter at this point and time is Mayweather. That, coupled with pointers from his "estranged no longer' Dad, should make the trip that much easier. I'll be watching the more interesting fight that may develop between Dad and Uncle in Floyds' corner should De La Hoya be ahead after 6.

Roman responds: Oscar's one of my all-time favorite fighters, but to me, hunger is a bit part of this sport. And I don't see how Oscar could have the same hunger now that he's a multi-millionaire businessman as when he was climbing the ladder. Floyd's also got $$$, but he's looking for respect. We'll see.

Roman you have an excellent point there. Hunger plays a huge part in a boxing match. That edge will definetely go to Mayweather. Oscar lost his hunger a long time ago. Who can blame him?

Roman, you may have misunderstood me. I wasn't referring to hunger when I said "get the juices flowin". It is in reference to Oscar being a little more alert to not get knocked out to avoid personal embarrassment and to have a chance to go spend some of that money right after the fight. Hunger is a detriment more often than not in boxing (one of the few exceptions to the rule). You lose vital energy before a fight if hunger is generated in a negative way ( e.g. "I'm tired of that S>O>B talkin' smack before every fight and now I'm gonna kick his @$$) unless you're Tyson of course and sooo hungry you wanna get to the dinner table in time to eat the food while It's hot and then pummel the guy in 2:36. These two rely on training, talent, experience, boxing prowess, and PRIDE.

If Oscar does get to Mayweather, I hope its after 5. Thats all I want is to see a good fight. I got the feeling BOTH are keyed up for this one. They both respect eachother and I got a strong feeling that they are both planning to bring it. We might be in for 2 or 3 of these fights if it goes the distance.

I could be wrong, but Mayweather easier then people think. He's in his prime, Oscar is what, about 32 or 33 now. He's been more active than Oscar, who has been busier promoting and what have you. Maybe Oscar has one last hurrah left in him, but I'm saying Floyd by late rd. TKO or unanimous decision.

sure floyd is faster younger,but also smaller and wont be able to weather the later rounds.oscar now has more power then ever ask vargas,mayorga.floyd will go down.in the later rounds.he has no class and his pepole are just dont have any class.

Roman responds: Class has nothing to do with this. Oscar may put him down, but not because he has more class. FIn fact, off the top of my head, I can remember Oscar getting in more trouble than Floyd.

Roman, kind of off topic here, but what did you think of Mayweather putting down MMA recently and calling out any UFC Fighter (though I think he singled out Chuck Liddell) to a fight? Looks like a dumb attempt to ignite whatever buzz that boxing still has. Mayweather wouldn't last a round in an MMA fight using primarily boxing..........unless he's fighting against Chicago's own Andrei Arlovski that is

Roman responds: I hadn't seen that Jesse, thanks. I write a combat-sports column every two weeks and I'll have to mention that. Floyd's a tiny guy, and he would get killed by Chuck and Andrei.

Roman, here are two links that covered Mayweather taking shots at the UFC. One is actually from ESPN.com, the other an MMA website. Check them out.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=buckheit/070405\

http://www.mmanews.com/ufc/Mayweather-Issues-Boxing-Challenge-To-Chuck-Liddell.html

Yeah I saw a piece on ESPN I think. Mayweather watches MMA and he said a box would win in a match, and then they showed several fighters saying lets make it happen. They said Floyd stood to make more money on a match than he would boxing, so that may be the lure.

People forget that Floyd had some very close fights, and one that he should have lost that I believe was a no decision. Joe Louis once said, "You can run, but you can't hide." Floyd is fast, but Oscar is quick, and packs a great left. Floyd is not a knockout fighter and relies on his speed and boxing to eck out a decision. I think Oscar will stay with him, and catch him in the later rounds and knock him out.

Mayweather would get killed by a quality UFC fighter.

I have to think boxing is going to see MMA's recent flood of upsets Saturday night. I take Oscar... sure he's older, and a bit slower, and mabye not exactly what he was 5 years ago. But, I have to go with the "under dog" on this one. Later in the fight probably, say round 9 or 10? and I agree Jay T, Mayweather would get killed by a quality MMA fighter. Let's pair him w/ someone roughly the same weight and he's gone. ESPN and other news outlets have recently taken jabs at MMA (no pun intended). But it just shows that the announcer/commontators don't know what they are talking about or the skill required to compete in MMA.

Back to the subject: I take De La Hoya!

People forget that Floyd is moving up and there comes a point in a rising boxers career when he hits a wall and reaches his maximum weight class a la Oscar vs The Executioner. I think this fight will be that determining factor in Floyds career where he will learn that welterweight was as far as he can be effective. I believe he can be a GOOD but not GREAT 154 pounder. As for the fight I think its a toss-up. Oscar can not be counted out, although I think he waited about 3 years too long, I still give him a good shot just for the shher talent he has to adjust to any style. I cant wait...............

People forget that Floyd is moving up and there comes a point in a rising boxers career when he hits a wall and reaches his maximum weight class a la Oscar vs The Executioner. I think this fight will be that determining factor in Floyds career where he will learn that welterweight was as far as he can be effective. I believe he can be a GOOD but not GREAT 154 pounder. As for the fight I think its a toss-up. Oscar can not be counted out, although I think he waited about 3 years too long, I still give him a good shot just for the shher talent he has to adjust to any style. I cant wait...............

All this talk about Oscar being stronger and Floyd moving up in weight has merit. As for these issues being big factors towards a possible De La Hoya victory, I don't think so. Both fighters started their careers at the same weight. Mayweather is 30, about the same time if not later than 'O' moved up. Floyd is younger and faster; that should offset the power factor. Floyd has gotten key notes from his Dad who trained De La Hoya in the past. Tale of the tape shows power vs. speed. I remember watching Sugar Ray Leonard in his first fight against Duran. After the third round it was obvious he had chosen to go toe to toe. If I had bet on the fight, you could be assured by the sixth round I would no longer have had a workable television. Gazelles do not go head on with a lion, duh. Next fight --- No Mas! If Floyd uses his speed and does not get hung up in the moment; can avoid the power punch and use the all important knowledge his Dad fed him; Floyd wins the decision. Speed over power, youth over age. The odds be with it.

Mr. Navarro, once again you dazzled me with your post. You are a natural! I was thinking Ruiz vs. Jones or Delahoya vs. Mosely. And dont forget Leanord v. Hearns. Speed is a huge factor when it is backed up by the skill to properly defend and allude a stronger opponent. I thought the move up in weight was going to get Roy Jones killed when he fough Ruiz. It never happened, and Roy shook up the world. That night, he was a bad man.

Roman responds: John Ruiz was the worst heavyweight champ of all time.

Good point Roman! I AM CRACKING UPPP!!!! But he beat Holyfield twice and he was a fast heavyweight. He should have beat Roy like a drum, but Roy was just too fast.

Unbelievable that a championship belt can be taken away by one punch…Mayweather had nothing at all and this fight belongs to DeLahoya. My respect belongs to DelaHoya. Mayweather is right he has nothing to prove, he proved he has nothing compared to the best tonight, that is why he is retiring from the sport.

Speed kills and Floyd does not get tired. My only surprise in the fight was that Floyd didn't put a bigger beating on DLH.

i believe the fight was boring and not worth paying. i should have waited to see it on hbo and saved my money. it wasnt worth paying to see two guys dance around the ring, while the other guy chase the other one around. i rather see PACQUE, MORALES, BARRERA than these two guys again.