domingo, 4 de maio de 2008
BOXING:CARSON, California (Ticker) - Oscar De La Hoya is convinced he has found the right style to defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their rematch this September.
The six-weight, 10-time world champion returned to the ring for the first time since losing a split decision to Mayweather almost exactly a year ago Saturday when he defeated Steve Forbes.
De La Hoya outclassed Forbes, the former 140-pound IBF champion, in a 12-round unanimous decision at 150 pounds in front of 27,000 fans at the Home Depot Center.
With a September 20 rematch against pound-for-pound king Mayweather on the horizon, De La Hoya said his convincing victory has filled him with confidence.
“Now I feel sharp,” said De La Hoya, a Los Angeles native. “The idea is to stand up and fight more straight up and use the jab and bounce on my toes a little and be aggressive at the same time.
“So I’m happy that we took on Forbes and happy that we fought here in LA.”
De La Hoya officially posted a 120-108, 119-109, 119-109 victory over the 31-year-old Forbes, improving his record to 39-5 with 30 knockouts. Forbes fell to 33-6 (9 KOs).
De La Hoya admitted that no deal to fight Mayweather had been finalized. But when the bout ultimately takes place, De La Hoya claims he will be ready.
“Obviously I’ve always prided myself on fighting the best,” he said. “I’m going to go after him because I know I can beat him.”
De La Hoya repeated his intention not to fight beyond 2008 with his victory over Forbes - the first of three farewell contests. He also plans to fight Mayweather in September before a final bout in December, possibly against welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.
“I’ve accomplished my goal in the first of three and I’m ready to have two big, exciting fights come September and December,” he said.
http://sports.yahoo.com
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