Oscar De La Hoya fights to save US Boxing

Golden Boy fights Manny Pacquaio on Dec 6th to rescue American Pride

Nov 28, 2008 Mark Froggatt

The fight between the 'Golden Boy' of boxing and the 'Pacman' in Las Vegas comes as American boxing cries out for a confidence boost following three heavy defeats.

Ricky Hatton added his personal nail to the coffin of American boxing last week when he thoroughly outclassed Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grande Arena in Las Vegas.The ‘Hitman’ silenced his critics to produce a classic boxing display and show the world a glimpse of what is to come from his newly formed partnership with trainer, Floyd Mayweather Snr.

Hatton’s victory rounded off a perfect month for British boxing after Joe Calzaghe dominated the great Roy Jones Jr in New York whilst David Haye announced his arrival in the heavyweight division with a fifth round knockout against Monte Barrett at London's O2 Arena.

However, as Great Britain revels in its own success, the USA is applying ice and attempting to stem the bleeding after suffering three high profile defeats in as many weeks.

Golden Boy returns

The land of hope and glory will now look to Oscar De La Hoya to restore its boxing pride when the self styled ‘Golden Boy’ of boxing squares up to Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino pound-for-pound king on December 6th at the MGM Grande Arena in Las Vegas.

De La Hoya, alongside Bernard Hopkins, is arguably the last of the great American fighters after Floyd Maywweather’s shock retirement and Roy Jones Jnr’s brief career revival was brought to an abrupt end by a stylish Calzaghe.Following the fight, the Welshman slammed the state of US boxing when he told BBC Sport:

Calzaghe Critical of US Boxing

“Americans can not fight as well as they think they can. They have always been ignorant. That’s why they have never given me the respect I deserve.

“Things have changed. The US didn’t win one boxing medal at the Olympic Games. They don’t have one heavyweight world champion. In years gone by that was an unthinkable situation. The heavyweight division is dominated by Ukrainians and Russians.

“Boxing isn’t what it used to be for America, but they still say ‘you have to fight in the states or you’re just another European fighter’. I feel the Europeans are now better than their American counter-parts.”

Next Generation Fighters

Only Chad Dawson appears to have the talent and the hunger needed to climb in amongst the big boys as he attempts to improve upon his unbeaten record of 27 victories – 17 by way of knockout.

So come December 6th, Oscar De La Hoya not only faces up to the task of beating the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, but also being the saving grace of American boxing.

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Comments

Dec 5, 2008 1:36 PM
Guest :
De La Hoya is Mexican-American (but always Mexican comes first), Pac Man is Phillipino, so although I agree we American's have been taking a beating in all levels of Boxing, I don't see how Oscar is "carrying the flag", so to speak, as the theme of your column portrays? Hopkins pounded a non-prepared Pavlik from the get go and I don't see mention of that "Vegas upset" mentioned at all and the real best lb 4 lb fighter on the planet had to retire for lack of anyone left worth his efforts being available, or willing to step in with him (do I need to name names here?), so I don't really agree with the premise either.
Besides, when Manny knocks Oscar out in the 8th Saturday night, your "great American hope" will all be for naught anyway.
Sorry to sound negative, I'm not, I read all your stuff and enjoy it all, but you missed like oh so many straight into air right hands from Jones jnr VS. Calzaghe with this piece.
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