DE LA HOYA MAKES IT AN OSCAR NIGHT AT THE MGM

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LAS VEGAS, NV (InsideBoxing) - Oscar De La Hoya makes easy work of Arturo Gatti as Gatti's corner throws in the towel in the fifth round.  Everyone new Gatti would get hit, everyone new Gatti would get cut but everyone also new Gatti is a fighter and will let whoever is in front of him know their in for a fight.  Gatti did manage to put a mouse over De La Hoya's eye and did give De La Hoya a bloody nose.  De La Hoya's ability to land, not just punches but power punches proved to be a bit much for Gatti.

De La Hoya explicitly said before the fight at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino - The City of Entertainment, that fans would see a new De La Hoya.  He kept his word,  fans witnessed a right hand punch, a new founded jab and combination punching.  A left hook and body shots have previously been De La Hoya's trade mark style. 

Gatti came into this fight hoping to catch De La Hoya at the right time.  This would be De La Hoya's first start in ten months, by far the longest stretch he has been off since turning pro.  De La Hoya would be trying out a new style and technique, he has not been able to adjust during a fight in the past.  Can he implement a new style of fighting under the training of Floyd Mayweather Sr.

Recap of the fight:

Round one - Both fighters walk to center and commence battle.  Both fighter try and establish a jab.  Gatti makes contact with the first hard punch, a left hook to De La Hoya's head.  An exchange of punches by both fighters follows.   De La Hoya regains composure and works the jab.  With the round winding down, De La Hoya  catches Gatti with a straight right hand left uppercut that sends Gatti to the canvas.

Round two - Gatti comes out fighting with a sense of urgency.  A beautiful right hand uppercut stumbles De La Hoya.  Referee will wipe the gloves of De La Hoya clean and the contest resumes.  De La Hoya make presences of his right hand as right hand leads continually hurt Gatti.  De La Hoya finishes the round with a right hand, left hook combination which clearly hurt Gatti.

Round three - De La Hoya continues to use his jab.  Gatti again connects with a strong left hook to the head of De La Hoya.  De La Hoya answers with a straight right, right left combination and a good body attack.  Gatti lands yet another strong left hook but De La Hoya continues to be razor sharp with straight right, left hook combinations.

Round four - Left hook to the head by Gatti and both fighters exchange punches at center of ring.  De La Hoya now displays a new look, holding his left hand very low and his head and chin tucked between his shoulders.  De La Hoya hurts Gatti seconds before the bell with a solid body attack.

Round five - De La Hoya continues with his new look stance.  Gatti obviously still hut from the previous round never gets started in this round as De La Hoya batters Gatti with a barrage of power punches.  Gatti's corner sees enough and stops the fight.

Taking the fight was a good gamble for Gatti should De La Hoya falter in any respect, Gatti would surely capitalize.  Unfortunately, De La Hoya was not ready to succumb his boxing career.   Gatti said after the fight he could have kept fighting but he respects the decision of his corner to stop the fight.  He also mentioned he felt good at welterweight so look for Gatti to continue fighting in the welterweight division.

Jay Nady from Las Vegas was the third man in the ring.  Judges for the fight were, Chuck Giampa, Dave Moretti and Paul Smith all from Las Vegas.

I'm hearing De La Hoya's next fight will be June 9, 2001 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino - The City of Entertainment - where he will move up in weight to challenge Javier Castillejo for his WBC super welterweight championship.  De La Hoya has won titles in four weight classes and a win over Castillejo would give him a fifth.

Should De La Hoya be successful in dethroning Castillejo his wishes are to avenge his controversial loss to Felix Trinidad in what would be an undisputed super welterweight title unification bout.

-Blackbull-