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By Jake Donovan - Cinco de Mayo is around the corner, which only means one thing in boxing these days: time for the annual Oscar de la Hoya classic.
The weekend holds true this year, but comes with a twist: the promise that it will be Oscar’s first fight of the year, rather than his only fight.
The running joke within the industry is the Los Angeles homecoming against Stevie Forbes (May3, HBO, 10PM ET7PM PT) is little more than an infomercial for a planned September rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Oscar is well aware of what’s being said, but insists that all he’s concerned with is what’s at stake, as well as what’s immediately in his face.
“For this fight, there’s no looking past Steve Forbes,” said the sport’s biggest attraction during an international teleconference earlier this week. “I’m training as if it’s the most important fight of my life. I don’t feel like a champion; I’m not a champion. I’m a contender; I’m embracing this fight like a contender.”
It is the first time in seven years that, no matter the outcome of the fight, de la Hoya will both enter and exit the ring without alphabet hardware. His title loss to Mayweather last year placed him in contender status for this fight, where he faces Contender alum Stevie Forbes, who was a 10-9 round away from winning Season Two of the reality show. [details]
The weekend holds true this year, but comes with a twist: the promise that it will be Oscar’s first fight of the year, rather than his only fight.
The running joke within the industry is the Los Angeles homecoming against Stevie Forbes (May3, HBO, 10PM ET7PM PT) is little more than an infomercial for a planned September rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Oscar is well aware of what’s being said, but insists that all he’s concerned with is what’s at stake, as well as what’s immediately in his face.
“For this fight, there’s no looking past Steve Forbes,” said the sport’s biggest attraction during an international teleconference earlier this week. “I’m training as if it’s the most important fight of my life. I don’t feel like a champion; I’m not a champion. I’m a contender; I’m embracing this fight like a contender.”
It is the first time in seven years that, no matter the outcome of the fight, de la Hoya will both enter and exit the ring without alphabet hardware. His title loss to Mayweather last year placed him in contender status for this fight, where he faces Contender alum Stevie Forbes, who was a 10-9 round away from winning Season Two of the reality show. [details]
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