De la hoya vs. Pacquio?????

A sport, as comedy.

Rumor #1

The second meeting of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar DeLahoya will have a staged press conference fight between the trainers – Dad, Floyd Sr., trainer of Oscar, and Uncle Roger, Floyd Jr.’s trainer – to help pump up sales.

You may wonder why they would need to pump sales when the first fight broke all boxing financial records, bringing in over $134 million in domestic pay-per-view sales and more than $18 million in live gate. But, though last year's fight was huge where it matters to the participants - in the financial area, it was a bust where it matters most to fans - in the ring. The pre-production hype bought many newcomers to the sport, but it is doubtful that many of them stayed too long after the party ended. It was, in a word - boring.

The rematch is not being made because the fans are shouting out with their demand for a second helping of its particular brand of excitement - this is not Taylor-Pavlik II (to see if the formerly undefeated champ gets his belt back) this is not Marquez-Vazquez (a rubber match in which each stopped the other in the previous bouts) this is not Marquez-Pacquiao (where it is unfinished business) this fight is being made because of financial possibilities.

Because the first fight had such huge potential going in, but turned out to be a dud in actuality, the promoters are going to have to sell the public on the idea that the results can differ this time. That means selling you on the notion that Oscar has a better chance this time around. That means from now until the minute they step in the ring you will hear the following:

The ring will be smaller, to give Floyd less room to work with, and bring him closer to Oscar.

The gloves will be smaller, to give the perceived puncher, Oscar, a better chance.

Floyd Sr. knows how to beat his son, and will be a difference maker in his role as Oscar’s trainer.

Floyd Jr. is cocky and overconfident, and after KO’ing Ricky Hatton thinks he can KO Oscar too, so he will slug rather than box, and get caught by a bigger banger.

What you won’t hear is that Oscar is any younger, for he is, in fact older.

And Floyd, if anything, is even better, more confident (if that is even possible) after KO’ing Ricky Hatton.

End result? Second verse, same as the first.

The hype machine is warming up. I suggest the purchase of hip waders – it’s gonna get deep . . .

 

Rumor #2

After taking on Floyd, Oscar will fight Manny Pacquiao.

While rumor #1 is ridiculous, it is possible. Knowing the sport of boxing as I do, I would say it is even likely. But DeLahoya vs. Pacquiao??!!

That this bout was recently suggested by Larry Merchant is no surprise, as Larry is not wise-beyond-his-years, but rather is commentating-beyond-his-years. Growing up, I loved listening to Phil Rizzuto doing commentary on Yankee games, but there is a reason that era ended. HBO lacks the common sense the Yankee organization displayed when they decided that public displays of senility, while amusing to the masses, do not serve the game.

That this fight was suggested by a promoter, Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, is no surprise, as their world is ruled by dreams of possible dollar signs, rather than the reality of power ratios and weights. But it is embarrassing to me, as a scribbler, to see credence lent to this farce by a boxing scribe, as Johnny Benz from Doghouse Boxing does, by actually hyping the suggestion. In a recent column Benz wrote, “These two will go at each other like two hungry pitbulls in heat.”

A more apt description would be a pit bull versus a chihuahua.

Manny began boxing at 107 pounds. Oscar began at 134. Manny’s highest weight was at 130. Oscar came in it at 160 once.

In support of his argument that the fight could be made, Schaefer offers us this gem: “Roy Jones Jr moved up 40lbs or so to fight in the heavyweight division.”

Actually, he moved up 50lbs. But it is far easier to put on that kind of extra poundage on a big frame, such as Roys, that it would be for Pac Man to do so. And let’s not forget Roy didn’t take on a live fighter, he took on a stiff in John Ruiz. It would be much different for Manny to take on Oscar, who even at this late stage of his career brings more to the table than Ruiz ever dreamed of.

Mr. Benz goes on to plead with Mr. Schaefer, “Mr Schaefer, if you are reading this... please warm the cockles of my heart and fans alike and make this fight happen.”

I don’t know about mollusk shells in your heart, Johnny, but I suggest you might want to have the rocks in your head looked at.


According to Schaefer, the rumors aren't ridiculous.

 

Yes they are Richard. And so are you, and Mr. Benz . . .