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De la Hoya-Forbes, Weighing Oscar’s Vulnerability

posted by Kathleen Holland on April 20, 2008, in Features

Photos by Chris McGee
By Brett Mauren

In his third fight in as many years, Oscar De la Hoya again finds himself in the eye of the storm that boxing knows as the Mayweather family. The next chapter to the never ending story pits De La Hoya and longtime trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. attempting to set the stage for a Fall rematch against pound for pound kingpin Floyd “Money” Mayweather. No stranger to the Mayweather family, Steve Forbes will serve as Oscar’s opponent on May 3, and though the world may see it as a tune up, both fighters can attest that may be a dangerous word.

Steve Forbes grew up overlooked as an athlete, and was seen by doctors as lucky to be alive after being born 2 pounds. Steve Forbes found himself in a familiar position as the smaller man through his time on the contender in which he gave up advantages in strength and size to his naturally bigger opponents. Few would have imagined Forbes to become a world champion fighter in the first place, and that right there is enough of a reason to take a second before writing him off for May 3.

Cinco de Mayo weekend has been Oscar’s show for the last three years, win or lose, and this May will be no different. But being the center of attention hasn’t always spelled success for the Golden Boy. Anyone pinning any hope on Steve Forbes will point directly to Oscar’s 2004 bout with Felix Sturm. The similarities between the scenarios are striking, as Oscar took on Sturm as a “tune up” for a Superfight with Bernard Hopkins, and looked his worst in recent memory. De La Hoya sees the Sturm fight as an advantage in not overlooking any opponent, but with a September rematch with Mayweather already slated it’s hard to imagine Oscar’s focus at 100 percent.

Anther intriguing aspect of the fight, is Oscar’s reunion with trainer Floyd Mayweather sr. countered by Forbes’ hiring of none other than Mayweather’s own brother Jeff. It’s the first time that any of the three Mayweathers have been across the ring from eachother. Steve Forbes has had Roger, Floyd and Jeff in his corner and states that he wouldn’t go into this fight with anyone but a Mayweather taking the reigns.

Mayweather Sr. plants Oscar’s loss to his son on the fact that De La Hoya replaced him with Freddie Roach. Citing the fact that he likely knows the formula to beat his son better than anyone, Oscar rehired Mayweather Sr. but getting caught up in the inevitable distraction of the family firestorm could be dangerous for Oscar, as Forbes will undoubtedly have his mental game in check.

De La Hoya has announced plans for a three fight exit plan kicking off with the Forbes fight. One has to ponder that if De La Hoya is indeed planning a three fight 2008, can he possibly be doing anything but looking forward?

Steve Forbes knows what lies ahead, a battle tested legend, with more big fight experience than anyone in the game. Forbes however sees yet another passable test, a lifelong dream standing before him. Win or lose standing face to face with the Golden Boy under the bright Hollywood lights on May 3 tells a story that words couldn’t, not bad for a two pound miracle baby.

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