’08 SHOULD MEAN, “THE END”
By Stephen S. Johnson

(Inside Boxing) February 13, 2008 There seems to be an unfortunate reluctance for one group of former World Champions to “ride off into the sunset” and make good on a promise.

The triumvirate of Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins are seemingly unwilling or cannot go away, as fighters.

The face of GOLDEN BOY PRODUCTIONS, Oscar de la Hoya, (38-5-30 KO’s) has become the equivalent of the proverbial “bad penny”.

Oscar has recently indicated that he has plans to fight as many as 4 times in 2008 and from there…

The obvious fight in ’08 is attempting to avenge a defeat at the hands of Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather, Jr., but what other fight does de la Hoya contemplate bringing him back as one of the best, pound-for-pound?

True, de la Hoya fights bring him big bucks, but what is his on-again, off-again retirement from the sport do…FOR THE SPORT?

In early 2004 Oscar de la Hoya was clearly defeated by one Felix Sturm, but GIVEN the decision. In September of that same year, Bernard Hopkins stopped Oscar with one hard, solid body shot, for a total of 2 fights.

In 2005 Oscar de la Hoya had…ZERO fights.

In 2006 Oscar de la Hoya had one fight…against a MUCH smaller, Ricardo Mayorga.

In 2007 Oscar had one fight…against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. losing a 12 round decision.

So, in the last 4 years Oscar de la Hoya has had a grand total of 4 fights losing 3 of them (I count the Sturm bout as a loss) while continuing to proclaim himself the savior of boxing.

The recent scandal concerning de la Hoya seemingly caught in a cross-dressing drunken stupor, along with the cost of providing for 4 children, can probably be attributed to de la Hoya NEEDING/wanting to take on more fights in the upcoming 2008 year.

Bernard Hopkins soon will be continuing his attempt to make more money while tasting defeat at the hands of one Joe Calzaghe in Wales.

Shane Moseley is probably in the best position of the three, but his own legal issues (being sued by former trainer for defamation regarding steroid use) demand the need for money in the bank.

The one obvious pattern displayed by the three is their constant need to “be in the limelight”.

Subtle talk of boxing having seen its better days has become more pronounced as of late, and I cannot help but wonder if Oscar de la Hoya and his cohorts at Golden Boy Productions have decided that if this is true, they should “get the gettin’ while the gettins’ good” and not worry about what’s going to happen.

GOLDEN BOY PRODUCTIONS, in their mission statement, claim they will promote YOUNG boxing talent for the good and future of boxing.

Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins should be the FACE of Golden Boy Productions…NOT Golden Boy Productions.

Presently, there seems to be no accountability in OUR sport of boxing and with the lead promoter taking aim at his own legacy and future…there may be little hope that boxing will survive.

I’m not speaking of the TRUE warriors that participate in amateur Golden Gloves Tournaments throughout the country, nor am I speaking of our neighborhood weekend “smokers” that provide good quality entertainment.

What I’m addressing is the art of boxing that was considered a way out of poverty for anyone black, white, yellow, or brown.

That legacy seems to have gone in the direction of “make as much money as you can” and everyone else be damned!

I sincerely and truly hope I am dead wrong! But there is the Golden Boy Production team that can make good on a promise and start giving back in a way that brings all they could’ve dreamed of.

It is now time for Oscar de la Hoya to do everything in his power to let others less fortunate live their dream as he and few others have done in the ring.

Step back and enjoy the view…from where you started it should look real good!

 

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