Without diminishing the significance of all the other intrigues of this battle, which has rightly been called historical, we will call the most interesting duel of characters. Poser Floyd, every word and every gesture of which is like a challenge to others, is against the good guy Oscar, who, with all his appearance and behavior, refutes the centuries-old image of a boxer. This extramural confrontation began in amateur boxing.
Having won the gold of the Olympic Games in Barcelona, De La Hoya said that he did it for his mother, who dreamed of his victory, but did not live up to it. Thanks to the press, the story received wide publicity - so Oscar became the Golden Boy, the favorite of a respectable and sentimental public.
Floyd also dreamed of winning an Olympic tournament. Born into a boxing family, from the age of seven, he trained for several hours every day in order to meet the expectations of relatives. Mayweather was a favorite at the Atlanta Olympics and objectively looked the strongest in his weight. But on the way to the award, he lost to the Bulgarian Serafim Todorov after a very controversial decision of the judges. His path initially was not the same as that of most successful boxers. And he accepted this role of the “other”, not for a second leaving his image even during the high points of his professional career.
Fate predetermined their meeting in the ring. And in, perhaps, the main battle of life, everyone did not change the usual image.
The very appearance of boxers in the crowded hall of the MGM Grand Center was an illustration. Floyd, traditionally pays special attention to this part of the action. He pompously entered the ring in a sombrero and dressed in the green, white and red colors of the Mexican flag (May 5 was the Cinco de Mayo festival, dedicated to the victory of the Mexicans over the French army in 1862) under the “live” performance of his friend rapper 50 Cent.
Oscar appeared in a modest red dressing gown under a sentimental ballad in Spanish and with an equally dramatic expression. With loud applause, the public gave victory in the prelude to the show to the champion.
Finally, under the crown cry of entertainer Michael Buffer “Let's get ready to rumble!” The battle began.
Mayweather’s plan seemed clear: to constantly move from the start, bomb the opponent with jabs and catch him on counterattacks, and by the seventh, when the years of De La Hoya would spill over the body with a fair portion of lead, gain points in a comfortable environment.
And he began to successfully implement the plan. And Oscar stubbornly tried to push the opponent to the ropes and a series of blows to outline the advantage. However, less frequent but accurate blows by Floyd in the counter leveled all the efforts of the champion.
De La Hoya looked like a real hero, rushed to the attack with an open visor. The audience greeted his every action with a standing ovation. But dry statistics are far from epic heroism. And she took the other side - the advantage in points was for Mayweather.
For the most ardent fans of De La Hoya, the sixth and seventh rounds became a time of euphoria. Oscar managed to press the challenger to the ropes several times and hold a long quick series of punches. If at least half of these shots were hit, Mayweather would probably not have finished the fight on his feet. But when De La Hoya finished the bombing and retreated, Floyd ... smiled and was ready to continue the fight as if nothing had happened!
When during the break these episodes were repeated in close-up, it became obvious that Mayweather did not flaunt - the goals were achieved by rare ones from Oscar's blows. He probably won these rounds. But at what cost - it became clear later.
In the final part of the battle, the Golden Boy was still attacking. But he no longer had the strength to squeeze his opponent in the corner or at the ropes. Mayweather remained fast and just as incorrigibly accurate in rare hits.
In the twelfth round, the boxers pleased the audience that jumped up from their seats with spectacular and lengthy exchange of blows. The gong was replaced by a standing ovation and the intense expectation of a winner announcement.
Fans of De La Hoya, judging by the reaction of the public during the battle, there was a majority in the hall. They won no doubt the favorite pet. And he himself could not resist and, before the scoring was announced, threw up his hands triumphantly. But two of the three judges did not succumb to emotions and, in fairness, gave the victory to Mayweather - 113: 115, 116: 112, 115: 113.
Oscar had a great and beautiful fight, which over time, despite the loss, he will probably remember with pleasure. And even when the entire Mayweather team covered the championship belt with kisses, De La Hoya did not look broken: “I fought well, and I am not ashamed of losing. I love boxing, I enjoyed every round and I want to return to the ring for these feelings. "
But the new champion said that boxing was enough for him: “I won everything. He beat everyone. Earned millions that I can’t spend in ten lives. I will no longer fight. "
Somehow not to believe in these words. De La Hoya said this a couple of years ago. Is he alone! Fight and smile, Floyd. You are no longer the Other - you are rightfully the best.
Andrey IVANTSOV