DE LA HOYA SHUTS OUT FORBES
By Ron Brashear
Inside Boxing Writer/Columnist

Photo: Eric Van Dyke/Insideboxing.com (Click picture for larger view)

(IB – May 3, 2008) – Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KOs) made a successful homecoming return to the ring in Carson, CA by winning a lopsided unanimous decision over Steve “2 Pounds” Forbes (33-6, 9 KOs). The judges scored the fight as 119-109, 119-109, and 120-108 all in favor De La Hoya. I personally scored the fight as 120-108 which means that Oscar won every single round – a total shut out of Forbes!

So what does this mean? Wasn’t Oscar supposed to win this fight? The answer is YES he was. However, there were plenty of folks, in and out of the sport of boxing that felt that this fight would have been more competitive that what took place tonight. Oscar was very impressive with the way he controlled this fight with his strong and effective jab, his ability to punch in combinations, and more importantly, his stamina and ability to relax throughout the entire fight. There were no knockdowns in the fight and neither fighter was ever in any serious trouble of being hurt.

Given his performance, complimented by the fact that Floyd Mayweather Sr. is back in his corner as the trainer, we are about to be treated to an interesting MEGA-FIGHT rematch on September 20th, 2008 when he takes on Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. When asked was the fight confirmed, Oscar stated, “It’s not confirmed yet, but I am going to go after him because I know I can beat him.”

We actually saw a sneak preview of what it will be like to have Mayweather brothers as trainers in opposite corners of a fight. In this fight, Steve Forbes had Jeff Mayweather (the youngest of the Mayweather brothers) in his corner competing against Floyd Mayweather Sr. in Oscar’s corner. While Jeff is not as controversial or as outspoken as Roger, this should take a little steam off the saga, other than the fact in the next fight, Floyd Sr. is training a man to try to defeat his own son and his relationship with Roger doesn’t appear to be anywhere as close as his relationship with Jeff. There doesn’t seem to be any love lost between Floyd Sr. and Roger to say the least!

If Oscar is able to pull off the victory over Mayweather in the rematch (BIG IF), this would be a significant accomplishment for both; Oscar and for Floyd Sr, who would love nothing more than to teach his son a lesson and knock the chip off Floyd Jr.’s shoulder.

Can Oscar defeat Floyd Jr with Floyd Sr in his corner? Only time will tell. Here is what I can tell you now. Oscar will not be expected to win the rematch so if he does, it will be one hell of a comeback story for the ages. If he doesn’t win, folks will need to cherish the fight that took place tonight because it very well may mark the FINAL victory of Oscar De La Hoya’s illustrious career!

You have just gone InsideBoxing.com

Ron Brashear can be contacted at brashear@insideboxing.com, ron@youthofhonor.org

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