Avila Perspective, Chap.150: Old Soldiers and More

“Old soldiers never die-they just fade away,” said General Douglas MacArthur in his final goodbye to Congress back in 1951.

A couple of old soldiers in the world of prizefighting could be taking that same road.

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, the conqueror of eight weight divisions, lost last weekend. Another old soldier in Oscar De La Hoya the “Golden Boy” and conqueror of six weight divisions returns to the prize ring in a couple of weeks.

Everyone has a time limit. Even legends.

Pacquiao’s defeat at the hands of Yordenis Ugas was not a surprise considering it was a very last-minute change after Errol Spence Jr. was forced to pull out due to an eye injury. He was not prepared for that style.

During his lengthy career the speedy southpaw overcame his size with eye-popping power and shiftiness that befuddled opponents. He was “the Matrix” come to real life and willing to test the best the boxing world could offer. It was a courageous mentality that made him beloved by the little guys all over the world.

From Marco Antonio Barrera and the Mexican three that included Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez, the Filipino blitzed through like a crazed zephyr to conquer the featherweights, then moved up and destroyed the lightweights and super lightweights with even more devastating results in knockout wins over David Diaz and Ricky Hatton.

As a welterweight Pacquiao stretched his abilities in defeating Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. And ironically, he retired De La Hoya with a one-sided beating in 2008. Now, 13 years later, the East Los Angeles boxer who formed his own successful boxing promotion company has returned.

Another old soldier returning to the fight.

Oscar

Los Angeles has long been a bastion for prizefighting. Many of the greats from a century ago like Jack Johnson, Henry Armstrong and Manuel Ortiz fought in places like the Vernon Arena, Olympic Auditorium and long extinct venues like Hazard’s Pavilion.

De La Hoya was the first home-grown fighter to reach superstar status and the first Chicano fighter from East L.A. to conquer multiple weight divisions. He was a beloved son to all grandmothers, mothers and their children who were deemed second class by those ruling the city and southwestern regions of the USA.

De La Hoya was a shining example of how a simple kid from the nearby barrios, who attended schools like David Wark Griffith Jr. High and Garfield High could become a gold medalist in the Olympics, win a world title within two years of becoming a professional and become one of the boxing world’s biggest gate attractions.

By engaging in many of the most riveting fights against stars like Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker, Tito Trinidad, Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas, Hector Camacho, and Ike Quartey the Golden Boy earned his nickname. He drew near a billion dollars in pay-per-view fights including his two biggest against Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao.

Without De La Hoya those two fighters never make it to mega pay-per-view status. He launched them to the upper tier.

“I wasn’t ready to retire after I lost to Manny Pacquiao. I never felt like I was in wars so in boxing you’re just as old as how you feel,” said De La Hoya.

After 13 years De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs) returns to face former MMA champion Vitor Belfort (1-0) a muscular Brazilian with former boxing ties on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Staples Center in L.A. The Triller Fight Club card will be streamed on pay-per-view by FITE.tv.

On Tuesday afternoon De La Hoya met with the media then performed a workout in front of the public at LA Live. Hundreds of curious onlookers got a glimpse of the now fit promoter who shadow boxed for a few rounds.

“I miss getting hit,” said De La Hoya.

The East L.A. promoter added that he wants to engage in a Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler type of slugfest or something similar to his first clash with Sugar Shane Mosley that took place at the Staples Center in June 2000. It was the first time any prizefight took place at that venue and the only time De La Hoya fought there.

Age catches up to everyone, but most old soldiers seem to ignore the signs that wrinkles, slower reflexes and diminished stamina seldom show up until the battle actually begins. We saw it last Saturday when Pacman’s legs failed him.

Still fresh in my memory was a physically fit looking Sugar Ray Leonard with ripped muscles facing Hector Camacho. Fans were impressed with Leonard’s physique until the bell rang and Camacho battered the former great.

Ironically, De La Hoya fought Camacho six months later and destroyed the Puerto Rican great.

Will De La Hoya be the next Leonard and learn the hard way?

Sunday Boxing Extravaganza

Jake Paul tangles with former MMA champion Tyron Woodley on Sunday Aug. 29, at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Showtime pay-per-view will show the fight card that also features Amanda Serrano versus Yamileth Mercado in a Puerto Rico-Mexico war.

I’ve seen Paul a couple of times and regardless of the former opponents, this is one big dude. And he can fight some.

Yes, he is barely learning but the physical tools are there. He seems to be a tad better than his brother Logan Paul who exchanged blows with Floyd Mayweather a few months ago.

Jake Paul has that meanness needed when facing someone who can hurt you too.

Enter Woodley a former UFC champion who may not be a boxer but knows how to give a hit as well as take a hit.

Neither Paul nor Woodley will be giving boxing seminars on the sweet science but this will be a fight, plain and simple. Millions of Paul’s followers will be watching and that means new boxing fans.

Let’s talk about the women’s fight.

When mentioning the sweet science in women’s boxing you have to include Brooklyn’s Amanda Serrano. She’s won seven weight division world titles. Only Pacquiao has more.

Serrano (40-1-1, 30 KOs) currently has the WBC and WBO featherweight world titles and meets WBC super bantamweight titlist Yamileth Mercado (18-2, 5 KOs) of Mexico in a clash of champions on the Paul-Woodley fight card.

Few fighters, man or woman, can dominate a fight like Serrano. She’s a pure fighting machine with heavy hands and quick fists. Mercado has never fought anyone like Serrano, but you can’t discount any fight between a Puerto Rican and Mexican. They’re like gasoline and fire.

The last time Serrano fought a Mexican she experienced that firsthand against Yazmin Rivas in 2017. She admits that was her toughest fight.

Still, Mercado has a lot to overcome and will have to trade blows close up to defeat Serrano. That means war.

It’s a pretty good card and includes one of my favorite young fighters in super welterweight Charles Conwell (15-0) facing Juan Carlos Rubio (18-0). Enjoy.

Fights to Watch

Thurs. UFC Fight Pass 7 p.m. Edison Garcia (13-0) vs Armando Frausto (9-1-1).

Sat. FITE.tv 5 p.m. Kim Clavel (13-0) vs Maria Soledad Vargas (15-3-1).

Sun. Showtime pay-per-view 5 p.m. Jake Paul (3-0) vs Tyron Woodley (0-0); Amanda Serrano (40-1-1) vs Yamileth Mercado (18-2).

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