Boxing
Sharkie’s Machine: Boxing & Pay-Per-View


Oscar de la Hoya Vs. Yori Boy Campas
(35-2-0-28 KO’s) (80-5-0-68 KO’s)

By Frank Gonzalez Jr.

05.05 - What would happen to the great American Pastime of Baseball if the best games were on Pay-Per-View? And worse yet, what if the games on PPV weren’t as good as games that were on free TV? I bet their fan base would shrink. Boxing fans can relate to that question. Who in their right mind actually paid PPV to see such a non-suspenseful affair as shown this weekend?

Did ANYONE think Campas had a chance to win? Why Campas? Because regardless of whom DLH fights, fans will pay PPV to see it. At least that’s what Bob Arum and Oscar think. They are right, aren’t they?

PPV is ruining boxing in that it alienates would be fans from tuning in. Why would you pay to see a boring mismatch? It’s not even a credible option. So, for prospective fans who might have enjoyed the under card of Erik Morales vs. Bobby Velardez, they simply wouldn’t be exposed to it. Erik Morales is arguably one of the best “Pound for pound” fighters in all Boxing, yet only hardcore fans even know who he is. Why? Lack of exposure.

PPV makes Boxing feel more like Professional Wrestling. Like a ‘cult sport’ with a dumbed-down audience who are less concerned with actual competition than listening to the combatants grandstand and put on a “good show.”

If Boxing were back on regular television, much broader audiences would have access to the greatest individual sport. Imagine the revenue that could generate from a mainstream exposure instead of a cult audience? If Promoters were as smart as they are greedy, they’d do the best they could to get Boxing back where it should be, on free TV. So look forward to more PPVs.

Oscar de la Hoya vs. Yori Boy Campas didn’t sound like a fight worthy of any anticipation. After all, the only good looking thing about Campas is his record of 80 wins, including 68 wins coming by way of knockout and five loses. Of Campas’ five losses, all came at the hands of recognizable contenders, all by knockout. How many folks out there thought Campas had a chance of winning—or even being a competitive? It was so predictable a show that the only question became; which round would Oscar win and how?

* * *

The Fight

Campas officially weighed in at 153-pounds but entered the fight weighing 170. DLH weighed 154 at the official weigh-in but his actual weight was left a mystery.

Seconds into round one, DLH and Campas bang heads and Campas pauses to touch his face in search for blood. His body language saying, “If I get cut, I’m quitting.” There was no blood. Not yet. The fight continued and Campos did his best—which was not very good.

Between rounds, Oscar’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr. mumbled instructions that were barely understandable. Oscar complained to Mayweather that he hurt his left hand. In Campas’ corner, his team went through the motions, telling him he had to do this and do that.

There wasn’t much to report about this fight other than Yori Boy drinking some “Magic Potion” before the fight and his losing his mouth piece several times, causing Referee, Vick Draculich to pause the action every time and get Campas his mouthpiece back. This started to happen regularly after the end of the fourth round, when Campas lost his mouthpiece after a punch before the bell rang.

In the fifth round, Campas lost his mouthpiece three times in a row; referee Draculich to threaten to take a point if it happened again. It happened again. A point was taken from Campas. It made no difference. This “fight” was more of a sparring session for Oscar, an exhibition in front of a sold out audience, on PPV. If the powers that be in Boxing are going to force PPV on fans, can’t it at least be for quality match ups?

By the sixth and seventh rounds, DLH employed a high work rate that succeeded in scoring--but lacked the power to finish Campas. Luckily for the Golden Boy, Campas’ people understood their role--and threw in the towel in time for the bettors who took the over and the under to be tied. Ties lose.

The “Golden Boy” was clearly superior to Yori Boy. DLH out boxed him, out witted him and out classed Campas. Although the stoppage was unnecessary, why complain? This fight was such a mismatch, I was anxious for it to be over.

Campas, who is usually a bloody mess by the fifth round, was barely scratched by the end of the seventh, just typically swollen in the face. He was not out of gas, nor showing any signs of quitting. True, he was losing every round of a fight—but that was why he was there in the first place. Campas’ job was to make Oscar look good and lose. Were there any other expectations for this fight?

It was elite star of Boxing, Oscar de la Hoya by TKO-7, and now $11 Million richer. Hey, he worked hard to make this $11 million and he deserves it. (Yeah…right!)

Oscar’s next date will supposedly be against Shane Mosley--if DLH’s hand is not hurt (I’m betting that becomes an issue). With Oscar’s career winding down and Mosley’s career at a crossroads, the suspense leading up to their September 13th rematch leaves a foggy estimation.

All the banter about Oscar “wanting” to fight Bernard Hopkins and Trinidad (if he comes out of retirement) all sound good but will never happen. Boxing fans just love being teased about fights that will never happen though, we’ve been trained for it.

If Mosley is up to the task, he might beat “The Golden Boy” with superior hand-speed and flash in a 12 round decision. If Oscar can work on his timing and power, he might beat Mosley by knockout.

Somehow I doubt they will fight on September 13th. But when it does happen, it will be on PPV--so get your wallets ready.

* * *

Agree or disagree?

Send comments to: dshark87@hotmail.com

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