By Dave Sholler

It’s a busy time of year at the Jersey Shore. As usual in August, the boardwalks are bustling with sun-ripened beachgoers and bikini-clad babes. The aroma of Funnel Cakes and suntan lotion fill the air.

It’s really a tough life to live. I mean, between checking out hotties and sipping on a cold one, nothing really beats summer time in the Atlantic City area. Surfing on a California beach or lounging in Maui may fly in as close seconds, but the living is certainly easy in my hometown during this time of year.

With the perfect atmosphere, I found myself on the beach earlier this week pondering the intricacies of boxing. With each wave that pounded the pristine sand, I calmly dissected the sweet science. I openly wondered if Oscar De La Hoya had grown too big for his britches. Basking in the rays of the summer sun, I found myself asking whether Bernard Hopkins truly belongs in the same ring with Kelly Pavlik. If those puzzles weren’t enough to sort out, I found myself decoding the welterweight Rubik’s Cube in an attempt to crown the best 147-pounder in the world.

When it was all said and done, I spent two enjoyable hours on the beach just thinking. No gossip magazines to read. No text messages to answer. I joyfully spent my time in the sand reviewing and previewing all that lies ahead for the sport.

Below is a collection of thoughts I wrote down shortly after leaving the beach. As you read on, contemplate some of the thoughts I gathered on that gorgeous summer day. Then ask yourself whether my points are valid or whether I spent a little too much time in the sun.

While relaxing on the beach, I realized that Oscar De La Hoya’s last fight will not be on December 6.

During my radio appearances for the last two weeks, I cautioned listeners that Oscar’s proposed bout with Manny Pacquiao had about a 60/40 percent chance of happening. When it was all said and done, it looked like it actually had a 70/30 chance in favor of “no.” As usual, Oscar put money in front of all else. Instead of compromising on a better deal with Pacquiao’s representative, Bob Arum, Oscar chose to leave the bargaining table. He essentially took his ball and went home.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired. Ricky Hatton said “no thanks.” Miguel Cotto was defeated by Antonio Margarito. Antonio Margarito is too dangerous. Pacquiao isn’t worth the money. These are all the reasons why super welterweight champion Sergio Mora has been thrust in the limelight as De La Hoya’s farewell opponent.

But hold the phone. You mean to tell me that Oscar will retire after a fight with Sergio Mora? While we respect Mora’s ability, it just doesn’t make a ton of sense. Moreover, what happens if Vernon Forrest defeats Mora in their mandatory rematch next month? Then what? Another excuse? Another shoulda, woulda, coulda from Oscar?

Mark it down, folks. Oscar will not finish his career by fighting Sergio Mora. Better yet, here’s to thinking that Mora has a decent chance of pulling off a major upset.

While relaxing on the beach, I realized that Bernard Hopkins just likes to fight.

Let’s not pull any punches: I’m a huge supporter of B-Hop. Unlike others, I find his style to be crafty and entertaining and I think his sound bites are legendary. However, for the first time ever, I found myself questioning Hopkins’ decision to fight Kelly Pavlik on October 18.

The Winky Wright fight made sense. When the two fought last July, Winky was older, defense-oriented, and commanded a decent audience. And in calling out Joe Calzaghe for their bout in April, Bernard was calculated and knew that the pride of Wales didn’t pack the power to hurt him.

The cerebral Hopkins may have bitten off more than he can chew with Pavlik though. Pavlik is not old. The powerful puncher from Youngstown, Ohio is not defensive-minded either. So why in the hell is the 43-year-old fighting arguably the sport’s most devastating finisher?

I couldn’t find the answer to this question in the beach sand. There was no message in a bottle that washed ashore via the Atlantic Ocean to answer the question either. Simply put, Bernard Hopkins loves to fight. Like a seagull crashing your beach picnic, Bernard is always looking for a scrap.

While relaxing at the beach, I realized that Paul Williams is the best active welterweight.

Antonio Margarito did a phenomenal job in solving the Miguel Cotto riddle on July 26. That performance alone warrants consideration as the sport’s best 147-pounder. Still, a lanky southpaw from Aiken, SC gets the nod as the best active welterweight today.

With all due respect to Margarito and Cotto, Paul Williams is the best active 147-pound fighter. While he is as talented as they come, the only truthful reason Williams gets the top-billing is that he earned a victory over Margarito last year. Sure, he lost to Carlos Quintana in February, but “The Punisher” showed championship pedigree in avenging his only loss earlier this summer. Aside from the one blemish on his record, Williams has looked solid. Although some will argue that he hasn’t faced enough quality opponents to garner the number one ranking, Williams still appears to be the favorite to wear the “Best in Divison” ribbon.

While the Williams vs. Margarito debate can be argued, we have learned a few decisive things about the welterweight division in recent months. For starters, we know that Andre Berto is perhaps the division’s best prospect. We’ve also learned that Joshua Clottey is the division’s best kept secret. As the year progresses, it will be interesting to see if we are able to come to any other solid conclusions, and more importantly, if the welterweight picture becomes any clearer.

While relaxing at the beach, I played a quick game of word association. It was more fun than tossing around the football or bodysurfing.

Richard Schaefer – Could turn a produce stand into a Fortune 500 company.
Joe Calzaghe – Will retire as many times as Jay-Z.
Juan Manuel Lopez – Could one day be the sport’s most exciting fighter.
Olympic Boxing – Love it. The scoring is awful, but it sure beats water polo.
Zab Judah – Junior welterweight division.
Ricardo Mayorga – Professor of Smack Talk 101.
Vic Darchinyan – If styles make fights, where does Vic fall?

PARTING SHOTS – Counting down the days until I kickoff my amateur boxing training camp. I’ve hired former pro Rick Weeks as my trainer beginning Sept. 1 and I’ve eyed a February 2009 debut. While many writers have been criticized by fighters for not understanding what it takes to get in the ring, I plan on learning firsthand. Speaking of learning firsthand, I’ll be at the Philadelphia Eagles preseason game against Carolina when this article goes online. Anyone else wonder if Donovan McNabb can stay healthy an entire season? Better yet, I wonder if Las Vegas has considered putting up the over/under odds on how many games D-Mac will play.

Dave Sholler is a featured Boxing/MMA analyst for sports radio stations across the country. Reach him at shollerholla4@hotmail.com