Mayweather, De La Hoya square off
LAS VEGAS – Floyd Mayweather Jr. hadn’t stopped talking since he signed up for the one thing he really wanted, a megafight with Oscar De La Hoya that put boxing back in the spotlight.
When the two met at Friday’s weigh-in, though, even Mayweather had run out of things to say.
The loquacious “Pretty Boy” did little more than give a dead-eyed stare to De La Hoya during their weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where they will meet tonight in one of the most anticipated – and hyped – fights in years.
There was nothing left to be said after months of preparation and name calling. Besides, both fighters know the 154-pound WBC title bout will be determined not by posturing or pay-per-view buys, but by tactics and tenacity in the ring.
“Anything he’s said about me, anything I said about him, we can settle it in the ring,” Mayweather said. “Can’t say nothing to protect you there.”
The fight has much more to offer than the personality clashes and family drama so endlessly chronicled in recent weeks seemingly everywhere, including on their own reality series. It’s a compelling contrast of styles and skills, with Mayweather’s superb defensive game contrasting with De La Hoya’s punching power and size advantage.
Though De La Hoya (38-4, 30 KOs) seems more likely to really hit Mayweather (37-0, 24 KOs) than most of his previous opponents, can the Golden Boy do enough damage to hurt one of the quickest and most gifted fighters in recent times?
Will Mayweather risk trading punches with De La Hoya, or will he take the safe way out and try to box his way to a decision in what could be a lackluster fight?
Most oddsmakers and prognosticators favor Mayweather in a decision, but the odds have steadily dropped in De La Hoya’s favor during fight week.
“I think everyone will be surprised to see what I can do,” De La Hoya said.
Though the hype promises a fight that could live in boxing history, true fight fans understand this matchup could be a huge anticlimax. That’s because Mayweather has remained unbeaten largely by using his spectacular defensive techniques and speed to avoid getting seriously punished by any of his 37 previous opponents.
Both fighters made the 154-pound limit at the weigh-in, with Mayweather weighing 150 pounds and De La Hoya hitting exactly 154.