De La Hoya versus Hopkins

[H2O Man]

I'm curious if there are many boxing fans on DU. There's a potentially great match-up on Saturday, with Oscare De La Hoya challenging Bernard Hopkins for the Middleweight Championship. I'm interested in what other people think of it?

I'm buying the pay-per-view fight. I think Bernard is just too big for Oscar. Bernard is a "big" middleweight. He knocked Trinidad around easily, because of the size & strength difference.

Trinidad is about the same size as Oscar, but was a little stronger than De La Hoys when they fought. Oscar has moved up a large number of weight classes over the years, and has lost some speed and punching power.

However, Oscar fights everyone. He's a brave warrior. Barring a bad decision, which would likely favor Oscar, I think Bernard will win. He may even stop Oscar in the late rounds.

Any other opinions? Thanks!

[noahmijo]

1. Oscar's become my favorite boxer since Lewis seems to have retired

I wish I could afford that fight :(

[Kierkegaard]

2. The Executioner by decision.

Hop/DLH are pretty fairly matched size wise, but Hop has been at this weight WAY longer and is a natural in this class. He's also too slick for a sagging De La Hoya, IMHO. DLH's last performance, where it was pretty obvious he was out pointed by a quality, but no-name opponent, shows his game isn't quite what it used to be. I thought he should have retired a couple years ago and gone out on top.

I'm skeptical of a KO by Hopkins, but I have to say it wouldn't surprise me very much to see it happen.

[Artemis Bunyon]

3. It will be a great match-up, that's for sure.

I'll be watching at my favorite watering hole.

[frylock]

4. gotta go with hopkins..

but considering that this is the crookedest sport on the planet, I wouldn't be surprised by any outcome, a la Lewis v. Holyfield I.

[pagerbear]

5. I hate to think of anyone hitting

...that beautiful face of De La Hoya's

[H2O Man]

6. Interesting responses.....

Oscar has shown some power at these heavier weights. Not what he displayed in the eights, but he can bang at the plane just below shoulder heighth, as in Fernando Vargas's head. But Hopkins presents a different target. Can Oscar hit hard enough to keep Bernard off of him? Can he maintain the arm's length distance he needs to in order to try to win a decision?

If Hopkins cuts the ring well, by using the side-to-side movement he does so well, I have trouble seeing Oscar staying away from Hopkins' power, which includes a greater variety of punches & angles.

Can Oscar outspeed Bernard? Both hand and foot?

They keep playing the Leonard-Haglar fight on Direct TV. Oscar must be thinking he can make it a slow fight. Leonard had seen Marvin have a tough fight against John "the Beast" Mugabi, and knew Haglar could not help but have a down match. It's impossible to be in prime condition for two fights in a row at that age. Leonard also had Dundee in his corner, who used the same strategy that Ali used in the 2nd Frazier match in the Garden. Hit and move, tie up and push. Ray was surprisingly strong. Can Oscar do this versus Hopkins?