Written by Sean Malone
| 05 May 2008
I missed catching De La Hoya's high profile sparring session Saturday night as I had more exciting things to view, like paint drying.¬ Of course my addiction to all things boxing caused me to view the replay Sunday morning and while I have no regrets on missing it live there were some things that held my ADD riddled attention for brief moments.¬ ¬- It's always nice to see a healthy live gate at a boxing event here in the States and De La Hoya's "Homecoming" put 27,000 butts into the seats of the Home Depot Center's soccer stadium.¬ A considerable feat for a Saturday night in SoCal not exactly sure if the rumors were true¬regarding some tickets¬being sold at a considerable discount to move them but again you have to be happy with¬such a turnout.¬ ¬- I tend to love HBO's pre-fight fighter stories but that interview with De La Hoya on his book about put me in a coma.¬ ¬- I absolutely LOVED Steve Frobes' ring walk to¬"Sweet Dreams" by the¬Eurythmics.¬ If more fighters would come out to fleeting hits of the 80's, well the world would be a much better place in my opinion.¬ ¬- While we are on the topic, can we make it a rule to stop calling Steve Forbes "Stevie"?¬ Anyone over the age of 12 should no longer be referred to as "Stevie" unless you are Stevie Wonder in which case it is ok.¬ Same rule should be applied to the name "Joey".¬ ¬- Wow, I never realized how short Forbes was until I see him in the ring with De La Hoya.¬ We knew Forbes was the smaller man but he looked like a child next to De La Hoya.¬ ¬- I'm going to have to disagree with the big homie Tim¬as I personally thought that the whole fight very much resembled a sparring session sans headgear.¬ Forbes did little to changes that perception with his constant "props" giving mannerisms to De La Hoya every time the "Golden Boy" landed anything of meaning.¬ This is a fight Forbes keep that amateur sportsmanship in the gym.¬ ¬- While De La Hoya did look a bit sharper in this outing his jab was still noticeably absent in the later rounds.¬ If he want s to have even¬the slimist¬chances at beating Mayweather he HAS to keep that jab going all 12 rounds.¬ The thing is I don't think De La Hoya has it in him to upset Mayweather.¬ The ship has sailed on that dream and while many in the media have written that De La Hoya did not exactly look that sharp remember is has been over a year since he last stepped in the ring.¬ With a year of ring rust evident De La Hoya looked good.¬ ¬- With that being said, no way in Hell I want to see a rematch of Mayweather De La Hoya.¬ Just don't want it.¬ Mayweather needs to shit or get off the pot and that means actually defending your welterweight title against deserving welterweights!¬ You beat De La Hoya and Hatton once already don't pee in the fans cheerios by engaging in meaningless rematches.¬ If I'm De La Hoya I simply move on.¬ ¬- I really like Forbes.¬ He has a great back story and seems like an all around great guy.¬ We shouldn't write him off and I really feel that he can make some noise at junior welterweight (140 lbs.).¬ ¬- I have to admit that I am a bit disheartened to hear the rumor that Forbes had to give up a third of his purse on this fight to the Tournament of Contenders outfit who don't actually do much "promoting".¬ Of course this being boxing everyone has their hands out looking for a piece but for all the adulation displayed by Jeff Wald, head honcho of the Contender promotional outfit, a 1/3 of a man's purse seems high.¬ Of course if you read
this¬excellent piece by Thomas Hauser it may put things in a proper light.¬ ¬- In that same vein, kudos to Golden Boy Promotions for declining Jose Suliamon's attempt to cash in on this fight by bestowing it a WBC special attraction or words to that effect.¬ No soup for you WBC!¬
