Oscar de la Hoya isn't coming back to boxing

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2009 8:41 AM EST in Boxing News Analysis

I know there are lots of "Is Oscar returning?!" articles out there thanks to a teaser snippet for his appearance on "Lopez Tonight" last night, but no, he isn't. Instead, he made a hilarious joke, pulling a fast one on his squealing female audience and referencing Erik Estrada. Marvel at Oscar's terrible comedic delivery, the overwhelming pleasure he takes in his own joke, and his weird habit of cupping his mouth when he speaks. He also mentions Shaq! This was a monumentally terrible interview.

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Boooooooooooo

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 19, 2009 9:02 AM EST reply actions

seeing boxers come back to cash in this far after their prime, reminds me of guys dating an ex-girlfriend again. in a pinch, we all think about it, even do it from time to time….but after a couple recycles…you gotta let it go and move on. as long as hardcore fans will pay to see the stars of old step back in, it keeps the building up of other stars slowed down/held up.

Gatti. Dekkers. Pele. Aoki. Kang. Vanderlei. Basillio. Harry Greb.

by theworldsoldestsport on Nov 19, 2009 11:14 AM EST reply actions

I do think he'll probably come back for one more fight eventually

There’s too much in it for GBP for him not to. If he can sign a hotshot prospect in the 147-154 range, the fastest way to propel that prospect to stardom would be to have Oscar come out of retirement and fight him.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 19, 2009 11:29 AM EST reply actions

I think he’ll fight again. I wouldn’t even be shocked to see them do Oscar-Hatton in London next year.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2009 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

i’d buy it in a heartbeat

The Dude Abides

by battle axe of doom on Nov 19, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

I would actually be somewhat interested in watching De La Hoy-Trinidad II. (Not that I’m proud of it.)

by taco pal on Nov 19, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

Can I ask a question?

Why?

by The Boxer Rebellion on Nov 19, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

didn't ask me, but I'll throw in a possible reason

It’d be a pretty amazing atmosphere, and that can make a fight more than it really is. Floyd-Hatton is one of my favorite-ever boxing viewing experiences for that very reason.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

But the fight is utterly meaningless

Unlike Mayweather-Hatton, you don’t have the then-undefeated, undisputed man at 140 taking on the then-pound for pound #1 in the sport. You just have one washed up fighter (De La Hoya) taking on a probably washed up former champion (Hatton.) There’s no real backstory between these two that I’m aware of, and the fight would be at 147, i assume, where Hatton flat out stinks. I mean, I’d happily watch that fight on HBO or Showtime, but no way would I plunk down $65 for it.

by The Boxer Rebellion on Nov 19, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

The fight’s an attraction. Hatton is the UK’s biggest star of the decade and Oscar is boxing’s biggest star for more than that. They’re both famous and it’d pack a huge crowd in England.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

As an exhibition match of sorts, sure

I’m not saying it won’t make money, given the names involved; I just don’t know why any hardcore boxing fan would want to watch it, given where both guys are in their careers.

by The Boxer Rebellion on Nov 19, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

to clarify

I don’t know why anyone would want to PAY to watch it

by The Boxer Rebellion on Nov 19, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

I paid for Zab Judah’s last fight, so I’m probably the wrong guy to ask.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

i’m a DLH fan and i don’t like ricky as a fighter. perfect combo

The Dude Abides

by battle axe of doom on Nov 19, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

I don't see why

a DLH fan would enjoy watching someone they don’t like break down the Golden Boy.

by tichbou on Nov 19, 2009 8:01 PM EST up reply actions

Actually DLH should fight Yuri Foreman.

by taco pal on Nov 19, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

The one that wouldn't surprise me

if GBP ends up signing him, is Canelo-Oscar in Azteca Stadium. Canelo’s already becoming a big star in Mexico, and a fight against Hoya would launch him into stardom in the US, even if he loses (and I think it’s about a 50/50 fight). This, of course, would be contingent on Alvarez signing with GBP instead of Top Rank. He seems to be hedging back and forth between the two, but as of now, he’s not officially with either one.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 19, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

I’d actually pick Canelo at 20 to beat a rusty Oscar. And that’d be a good way to build Canelo for sure.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

so you think oscar would purposely add another loss to his name just to boost up a prospect’s stock?

The Dude Abides

by battle axe of doom on Nov 19, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

It wouldn’t be a purposeful loss. Even if he beat Alvarez, like Brick says, it raises Alvarez’s stock mightily in America, where he’s still unknown. And since that fight would mean that Golden Boy had Alvarez on their roster, taking the risk of losing to the kid would make Oscar more money as a promoter for many years. He’s a really promising prospect who has already built up a tremendous fanbase. Oscar’s legacy is secure, but he can always make more money.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

Not purposefully

But if it makes him gobs of cash in the long run to face a rising prospect, sure. Plus, new stars are good for the sport, and what’s good for the sport is good for Oscar. The easiest way to make a new star is to have them fight an established star. At worst, Canelo would hold his own, and his style is exciting enough that if he gets widespread exposure, he could get really popular really quickly.

As it is, he’s gamed the system perfectly. He’s fought on a few Top Rank cards and a few GBP cards (although all were aired in Mexico and not in the US). Under the guise that they want to please him so they can get the edge on signing him, both sides have helped bring along the kid very smartly, and at only 20 years old, the competition he’s faced is miles better than what Chavez Jr. has faced. But he’s probably going to sign with one or the other before he gets a title shot. Promising a fight with Oscar would be a sure fire way to sign the kid, if you’re GBP.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 19, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions