By Don Colgan
Photo © Mary Ann Owen/FightWireImages.com
Expectation is always the driving force that defines a great championship bout. When the contestants are stellar battlers in their own right, the debate simmers for weeks and months preceding the opening bell. In the newspapers, the fight magazines as well as the endless blogs that populate online boxing sites, the arguments sizzle. Every angle, every viewpoint, every possibility is micro analyzed, challenged and vigorously debated.
It is the nonstop pre-fight chatter that has been largely absent from the boxing scene over most of the past two decades. The electricity and anticipation that preceded Johansson-Patterson II, Clay-Liston I, Griffith-Benvenuti II & III, as well as the indescribable din that descended upon New York in the weeks prior to Frazier-Ali I, a phenomenon that has not been witnessed in many years.
Certainly there have been bouts that have generated discussion and excitement. Lewis-Holyfield I and II, when debate raged over Holyfield’s ability to again scale championship heights and turn back the clock on Lewis. There was great dispute over the Lewis’ ability to stay with the warrior Holyfield over the twelve round route. Make no mistake, there were doubts about Lewis’ mettle in the late 1990’s.
The unending lure of Mike Tyson, going back to his 1989 clash with unbeaten Mike Spinks, who had the legitimate claim to the heavyweight title. His comeback fiasco with Peter McNeeley generated gales of attention where none was warranted. Tyson’s final, feeble challenge to Lewis was preceded by the expectation among many that Tyson had one more left hook in him, and, if properly applied, would restore Mike to his former throne.
Hopkins’ 20 championship defenses earned him a place at the table with Robinson, Monzon, Ketchel and Hagler. Yet his reign flew largely under the radar of the sporting world. Only at the very end of his epic rule in the Middleweight class did Hopkin’s magnificent achievement merit a nick of recognition.
On May 5th, Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya will collide at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the WBC Junior Middleweight Championship of the world. Between these two elite champions, both former Olympians, rests fourteen championships over their respective careers. Not since Hagler-Leonard in 1987 hsa a championship showdown been more anticipated, more discussed, more promoted and more analyzed. Boxing, for this singular contest, has regained it’s former status. For this single, spectacular event, boxing is once again at the apex of the sports world. On the eve of this bout, Major League Baseball, the NBA & NHL playoffs and the Kentucky Derby will yield in deference to the resurgent Sweet Science.
It’s been a long time coming!
The recently concluded 11-city tour conducted by Mayweather and De La Hoya accented the national and international attention this bout has merited. From New York to Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit, Miami, Houston and San Francisco, the two champions promoted the much heralded contest with thousands of fans lining up to take part in the media atmosphere.
The buildup is nothing short of a blood transfusion for boxing in an era where fractured weight classes with multiple champions have diluted the great lightweight, welterweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions. Will Floyd and Oscar be equal to the billing? Mayweather has had an iron grip on the best “pound for pound” mantle for several eyes, a claim disputed by none. He appears as dominant as Leonard in Sugar’s prime. He is Ray’s equal in hand speed, ring generalship, and dazzle. Yet Leonard had an alter ego in the ring. When necessary, as against Thomas Hearns as his championship dangled on the precipice, he could turn fighter. That was Ray Leonard, not Sugar Ray.
We haven’t witnessed that dimension in Mayweather. The perception of his total invincibility has elevated his stature to that of greatness yet he hasn’t had his Frazier, Duran or Griffith. Nor has he been thoroughly extended or even hurt in his career. Can he punch his way out of trouble? Can he fight off the canvas? Can he endure punishment and still rely upon his wondrous skills to carry him to triumph. With the still dangerous and experienced De La Hoya, it seems a reasonable certainty that he will be tested as never before.
As for Oscar, his career glitters yet it is not gold. It’s been a decade since his very slender and widely disputed points triumph over Pernell Whitaker. That was a pyrrhic victory. His ascendancy towards ring immortality was halted in its tracks. Defeats by Trinidad, Mosley and Hopkins left him a borderline dominant fighter who seemed destined to be second best in big matches.
He is, however, still a dangerous and talented fighter with vast experience against the finest fighters in the world. He is close enough to his prime years to threaten Mayweather. His jab is straight and hard, and his left hook is a powerful weapon. Yet De La Hoya needs a new mousetrap to extend and weaken Mayweather. He has to study Tony Zale against Graziano and Tiger against Giardello. Or Frazier against Ali on March 8, 1971.
On the event of the historic bout the great New York Daily News cartoonist Bill Gallo forecast it would be “Operation Breadbasket” for Frazier, that Joe’s body attack would ware a rusty Ali down in the later round, leaving him vulnerable for Joe’s big left hooks to the head.
It has to be “Operation Breadbasket” for Oscar De La Hoya on May 5th.
He has to take the risk of falling behind in the early rounds. Coming to Mayweather will be difficult, and he will absorb a blizzard of lightening jabs, hook and combinations from Floyd. He has to cut off the ring, again and again. Force Mayweather into the ropes and corners and concentrate exclusively on a brutal attack to Floyd’s midsection. Body punishment drains a fighter psychologically. It hurts. He lowers his guard when he knows he shouldn’t. He feels exposed and suddenly vulnerable.
For De La Hoya to win, he must impose his will on Mayweather. He must invade Floyd’s mind and pierce that veneer of confidence and invincibility. Remember Duran against Leonard the first time. He walked through Sugar during the first four rounds, exploded huge right hands against Leonard’s head. Duran invaded Leonard’s space, walked into and through the Sugarman and took psychological command of the bout, even though Leonard rallied over the final three sessions to make the verdict close. De La Hoya must demonstrate a will to prevail against extraordinary adversity. He had to be Zale against Graziano, attacking the body with impunity, even at the risk of Mayweather’s razor sharp assault.
This will require Oscar to adapt a mindset of win at all costs. The safety first, cruise control mentality that snatched defeat from certain victory against Trinidad will ensure a lopsided denouement for De La Hoya. Oscar needs to borrow a page from Frazier and Hagler, “Destruct & Destroy”. He has the tools to win, yet on May 5th he can’t be the Golden Boy.
He has to be Oscar!
It has to be “Operation Breadbasket”.