By Don Colgan
He burst on the scene with the mantle of greatness already upon his shoulders. He was to be the Sugar Ray Robinson of the Y2K era, a powerfully built boxer punch with dazzling ring generalship, power in both hands, a stout chin combined with an air of invincibility. From the time he burst upon the scene, capturing Olympic Gold at Barcelona in 1992, he was destined to be a champion for the ages.
De La Hoya's career as a Simon-pure was a presage to his Olympic and Professional success. He fought 228 amateur contests in a career that began in the Los Angeles ghetto, and in approaching it's conclusion with sixth world championship, a stellar achievement even in boxing's modern day diluted form.
He promised his mother, shortly before she died, that he would be an Olympic Champion. He carried that torch of maternal devotion into the ring and campaigned with talent and fire. De La Hoya exploded upon the nation's consciousness after turning professional. His stunning, handsome appearance earned Oscar the “Golden Boy” moniker as he scored knockout after knockout, climbing the ranks of the Welterweight division rung by rung until capturing his first title, a 10th round TKO over Jimmi Bredahl for the WBO Jr. Lightweight Championship in March, 1994.
Ultimately De La Hoya would hold the IBF Jr. Lightweight crown, the WBC Jr. Welterweight title, the WBC Welterweight championship, the WBC Light Middleweight title and the WBO Middleweight strap. It is a reflection of the alphabet mentality that has controlled boxing for over two decades, that he never established true domination in a single weight class, as did Carlos Monzon and Marvin Hagler in the 1970's and 80's.
Yet, as Oscar's career enters it's final turn, he never achieved that defining moment of greatness. He was so close on so many occasions. Against the immovable object Felix Trinidad, considered among the world's best pound for pound when they met in September, 1999, he surged to what appeared a near insurmountable points lead, outboxing and outclassing the dynamic Trinidad through eight rounds. It would have been the triumph that defined De La Hoya for his time. Mysteriously, he stopped fighting. He drifted through the final four sessions and saw the verdict, although disputed, go to Trinidad.
From the perspective of Oscar's claim on ring immortality, he never recovered from that defeat.
Than there was the two decision losses to Shane (never Sugar) Mosely. Again, at the point of their first contest, Mosely was viewed as an heir apparent to the two Sugars and viewed as the 2000 version of the world's “pound for pound” best. Mosely won, without dispute, in a bout in which the Golden Boy was so outclassed that he never again was viewed as a dominant force in boxing. Oscar was now a good fighter, a
a solid contender, not a champion for the ages.
The following year he decisioned Javier Castillejo to earn yet another diluted crown, the WBC Light Middleweight title. The following year he registered an 11th round TKO, a worthy achievement, over Fernando Vargas to add the WBA Light Middleweight crown around his waist.
As De La Hoya, by his own admission, prepares for the final two bouts of his career, there is a void that permeates his numerous achievements. He has always edged towards the fringe of greatness, only to be stopped. Against Trinidad he should have been Rocky Balboa, never taking a step backwards until victory was his. Granted, he was terribly robbed in the Mosely rematch, a victory that would have removed much of the tarnish of his earlier disappointments.
Perhaps that is the word, disappointment. Combined with the misfortune of an undeserved points loss against the overrated Mosely, the fates have conspired to keep Oscar at arms length from recognition as a great champion.
He has only lost four times. Look at Sugar Ray Robinson's record and, for that matter, the end of Leonard’s brilliant career. There should be room for redemption! There is one great performance left in Oscar De La Hoya and, now that it is not really expected among the boxing fraternity, it may have arrived at most unforeseen moment.
De La Hoya has mentioned Floyd Mayweather, Jr, as a fitting opponent for his ring departure. By any measure, he would enter the ring at least an 8 to 1 short ender. Mayweather's brutal speed and slicing attack would be indefensible by Oscar. After being stopped with one solid body shot from a 40-year-old Bernard Hopkins, in a contest few gave Oscar a chance, the likelihood of upending Mayweather would be beyond credulity.
Yet he is only 33 years old. Young by any definition. Still young enough to respond to a tremendous training regimen. Motivated to achieve the unattainable. Still young enough to touch greatness just once. Experienced enough to extend and trouble the lighter Mayweather. A hard enough hitter to command respect from “Pretty Boy”.
The bout would be held at Jr. Middleweight, an advantage for the sturdy De La Hoya. It is fashionable nowadays to fantasize about a would be Mayweather conqueror. He is the dominant fighter in the world, in a position once occupied by the Muhammad Ali who stepped into the ring against Zora Folly in 1967.
Yet, in his ring farewell, could De La Hoya emulate Sugar Ray Leonard’s performance against Marvin Hagler in 1987?
Remember, “Destruct and Destroy”. The powerful, dominant Middleweight Champion from Marciano's Brockton. Leonard, a bad eye, having boxing so few rounds over the previous four years. Being sat on his pants against Kevin Howard. With one or two exceptions, a Hagler victory, probably a stoppage, was predicted.
Leonard won, so can Oscar!