So the Golden Boy looked more like Silver and The Hitman got hit too much
Both De La Hoya and Hatton didn't fair to spectacular at their first fights after Mayweather. Both were expected to go in the ring and exhibit the kind of performances that made them worthy enough to be in the same building as Mayweather in the first place, but unfortunately, even though they shut out on cards, that certain magic just wasn't there.
De La Hoya soundly defeated Forbes in a lopsided decision win, but it wasn't the kind of performance that made you comment to yourself, "Oh yeah, The Golden Boy is back". It almost seemed like he had an easier time putting on a clinic against Tito Trinidad for at least the first half of the fight than with Forbes. Regardless of the possibility of De La Hoya throwing defense out the window to try to score a KO against Forbes, he was hit too often and his face showed the kind of damage which would have let you to believe that De La Hoya just finished a rubber match with Shane Mosley. I don't speak for others, but I didn't see much that showed a rematch with Mayweather would produce an ending favoring De La Hoya.
Hatton, on the other hand, was the least impressive of the two Mayweather victims. This was to be an exhibition for Hatton to let the world know that he's back and that he means business. But the exhibition turned into an actual fight where Hatton had to TOO many close calls and may have arguably been saved by an ambiguous break from the ref. Lazcano was a fighter who had spent most of his career at lightweight and has had a Rocky Juarez-ish resume falling short every time he's had a shot at beating a top guy. Still, an obviously past his prime Lazcano was able to put a scare on the Hatton camp and the millions of adoring fans.
So here we are at the cusp of Mayweather's next fight which seems to be a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya. A lot of disappointment has been expressed by fans, writers etc. that this fight appears to be very probable. I for one do not feel that this is a waste of time since some do feel the fight was close, but I can understand the frustration due to the lack of excitement the first one created. While many of the fans who purchased the first fight will most likely skip this one, there are hundreds of thousands of others who didn't and will be suckered by the hype of the rematch.
But, the frustration and disappointment grows even further at the fact that Mayweather has entertained the thought of a rematch with Hatton as well. Seeing how soundly and uneventfully Mayweather defeated De La Hoya and how quickly Mayweather was able to dominate Hatton at his own game, you have to ask yourself, why do it again?
Of course, money is always a factor and there is no one more deserving to all the benefits of prize fighting than the fighter who is in the ring. After all, when the lights stop flashing and the bell stops ringing, its only the fighter and his family at the end. But there should at least be a balance. This sport was built on the fists, blood and hearts of champions who not only stepped into the ring for themselves, but for the people who gave them the opportunity to display their abilities on the level that they did and prove to the world why they were champions. Floyd exhibited this type of hunger early on in his career as he campaigned through the divisions rising and dominating. that is what made me a fan of Floyd. Now though, the only motivation is money and thats it. Some say he is still fighting for legacy, but a rematch against Hatton and De La Hoya (according to many) shows that legacy may be something Floyd already believes he has cemented. Like I mentioned above, I can live with a De La Hoya fight. I'm not happy with it, but it isn't a bad match up. But it will be very hard for me to continue to call him "champ" if the Hatton rematch materializes.
Some of us justify his decisions by placing ourself in his shoes. "Wouldn't you do it if you had a chance?". Well, I think the best way to answer that question would be to ask yourself why you got in the game for the first place.