Connect with us

Articles of 2006

De La Hoya-Mayorga: When the Smackeroos are Worth the Smacks

Published

on

LAS VEGAS –Boxing business is often the ultimate risk-reward situation. That's not even counting the life, death, or fame and fortune extremes.

So it was for Oscar De La Hoya, who returned to boxing and looked quite strong scoring a 6th round blast out against unpredictable Ricardo Mayorga before a frenzied sellout swarm of 13,076 at the MGM Grand Garden.

“I told him I forgave him for everything he did before the fight,” said De La Hoya, who positioned himself for a proposed grand finale fight on September 16th, possibly against Floyd Mayweather Jr,, who was ringside in hopes of closing the megabuck deal.

“He tried to fight me recklessly. My message was, I was going to stand up to the bully. This guy was perfect for the defense I've been working on. I was blocking all his punches. I knew I had some power.”

“Oscar is a very hard puncher,” said Mayorga, whose head must have really been ringing, “I am not hurt, I'm just heartbroken.”

Nothing was for certain regarding Mayorga until the fight began. He continued to look intense but troubled.

A solid win was the last step toward his gala exit, but if De La Hoya found himself in the inevitable position of all fighters who hung around too long, the main question would become how he decided to go out.

Nobody could say for sure how De La Hoya would show up, coming off twenty months in a comfortable family circle since his last bout. Judging from some fierce exchanges, he still has plenty left.

For De La Hoya, now 38-4 (30), it was a chance to replace the image of his stoppage loss to Bernard Hopkins in a result where many questioned De La Hoya's heart, despite his history of facing top opponents.

Mayorga, 28-6-1 (23), exhibited plenty of reservations about getting a fair market share for his performance with a threatened pull-out. He showed up in solid shape, presumably enticed by the potential spoils of victory. As the whirlwind action began, it became clear he had indeed come to win.

De La Hoya, 153½, and Mayorga, 153½, took the evening spotlight on a Kentucky Derby weekend where the Strip and its nearby satellite sideshows made the central tourist area a seemingly endless Cinco de Mayo party zone that extended for miles. Major stunt cycle jumps and casino expansion block parties added to the open-air, multi-ringed circus.

Inside the arena, the ring that counted most was the measured square, adorned with a wider variety of sponsors than usual. For the fans, premier ticket and pay-per-view fees ended up as very cost efficient entertainment.

De La Hoya, decked out in blue with gold trim, proved he was still a top attraction.

Mayorga roared out behind wild swings that were neutralized by De La Hoya's well composed jab and follow up rights. A left hook blur dropped Mayorga in the first frame and it was further downhill for the defending WBC Super Welterweight titlist from there.

Mayorga didn't go gently. He landed many overhand conks, often to the back of De La Hoya's head, but he also showed the renowned chin and emotional fury that made him a dangerous fighter until he was stopped.

Mayorga was staggered many times, but he still cranked it up and threw back as they stood on the Bacardi canvas logo and brought the crowd to their feet. De La Hoya backed Mayorga into the bright red ropes, but Mayorga hung tougher and tougher during the third and fourth frames.

De La Hoya seemed to sweep the scorecards, but it was no easy task. Actually, two judges gave Mayorga the third round. Otherwise it was all Golden.

In the sixth, De La Hoya made Mayorga do a drunken shuffle from four right hands. A half a dozen more dropped Mayorga in De La Hoya's corner. De La Hoya swarmed in with a classic extended flurry and ref Jay Nady waved it off at 1:25.

For De La Hoya, the victory means a lot more chips to play or walk away with, for one more big fiesta in the Fall.

Speculation remains to whether Mayorga's personal fall was premature, a significant accomplishment, or easy to see coming.

In the fight game, like many sporting gambles, perspective is often obscured.

Tonight, De La Hoya still saw glory in his gloved hands. Mayorga saw stars, and not just “Rocky” at ringside.

“The fact that he talked so much really motivated me. We'll have to wait and see what I'll do. I have to be by myself and really think about some things. I have to see if it's worth fighting again.”

See you in September.  

For De La Hoya, the venture posted significant gains in his earning power and historical standing. 

As it turned out for the humbled Mayorga, whatever his earnings, the price of victory was too high, and too far out of his reach.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles3 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles2 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles3 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles2 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles3 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles3 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending