Mike Samuels

I've sat back and attempted to take in all the harsh criticism of Oscar De la Hoya over the past year and a half. I've tried to understand why all the so-called "boxing scribes" of the world (which are more like fans high on LSD and drunk off Jack) find every which way possible to bring down the Golden Boy's accomplishments in the ring, as well as his personal status. And in the sport of boxing it's expected that every jack-off will get his/her opinion out there. So before I sat down to gather my thoughts on this article I had to make sure to keep that in the back of my mind.

September 14th is the most looked forward to date of the year for boxing gurus around the world. The heated and passionate Fernando Vargas has done everything in his power to help sell this fight, and he's done a great job at that aspect. People who haven ever even seen De la Hoya or Vargas fight will probably order this fight, just to see who gets the last word in the ring. So on a promotional stand point this fight is kickin' major ass, and unlike Tyson-Lewis, it SHOULD come through as a great buy for anyone interested in seeing two bullies go at each other like the after-school meetings at the bike rack in junior high.

The fight has been postponed three times now, and the public is growing very thin with its patience. That is understandable. Everyone wants to see this fight, and the fact that it keeps getting put off is a big problem. But it's boxing, a sport that delays and scandals is very fond of. Boxing is also a sport that requires it's warriors to be in the best shape of their lives - mentally and physically, might I add - before stepping between the ropes. That's one of the reasons it takes six to eight months for a fight to even happen.

But judging from a lot of the responses and cheap-ass hate thrown at the Golden Boy since his physical problems, the fights that he has wanted but never gotten, one would think that De la Hoya couldn't box himself out of a paper bag. The pro-Vargas train is running high on pride, and is damn near certain of a dominant Nando' this September. It's one thing to be confident or cheer on a fighter (and as a writer it's even harder having to keep things unbiased. And NO! I'm not some De la Hoya groupie!), but to totally disrespect a fighter's ring ability is a bit over the line. I'm not out to kiss anyone's ass and please feel free to be like the vast majority of bums who e-mail me daily and tell me that I should be out of a job here at EastsideBoxing.com (ha, if you only know what you were talking about). The truth is, Oscar De la Hoya has done a lot of GREAT things for the sport, and just like he has, I believe Fernando Vargas is on his way to helping give back to boxing. But some of the reasons I get for De la Hoya losing to Vargas leave me no choice but to roll over and laugh.

Boxing thrives off of the mouths and opinions of everyone. That is why it is one of the toughest sports fields to write in, because EVERYONE is right, and if you don't agree with someone you are suddenly a sloppy, uneducated journalist. I can take the hate and accept it, but guys like Oscar De la Hoya don't deserve it. I've been hell bent with The Golden Boy since the fight was called off in December, but I keep a level head. I sit here and see all of these haters come out here and question De la Hoya's heart, his pride, his boxing ability for chrisskaes, and I can just shake my head in disbelief. If that's not bad enough, it's quite SICKENING to listen to the thousands of boneheads who praise Vargas like he is Roberto Duran times two. Vargas has a ton of heart, a ton of pride, and a lot of boxing ability. He's destine for great things (and it's a shame Tito/Vargas two won't be happening), but somehow a cloud of smoke has been blown up the ass of all his supporters, and they have made him into a full course meal, instead of a hungry appetizer that is still maturing, but will soon be everything it is set out to become.

Perhaps the hate on De la Hoya comes from not facing Tito or Mosley a second time when he has said that's what he has always wanted. Or perhaps his venture into the music biz was the last straw for boxing fans. Let me first say that De la Hoya singing was the stupidest thing he could have ever done, and I'm sure that he could agree with that right now. I also agree with a lot of criticism on De la Hoya, but the outlet in which most morons bring it to the attention of the public is just ludicrous. Half the Johnny-Know-it-alls in this biz are so early to hate on the Golden Boy for postponing this fight over and over. I myself have even grown tired of it, but I haven't questioned De la Hoya's determination to face Vargas (unless of course the fight is postponed yet AGAIN, in which we would see De la Hoya-Vargas in the courtroom and not the ring) because I know how important this fight is for both fighters. The clowns that hate on De la Hoya - or any other fighter at that - for postponing have probably never stepped foot into the squared circle. Boxing is the toughest sport in the world. There is no vacation, no off season, and no retirement plan. The toll one's body takes from years of training cannot be described in words. And when it comes down to it, boxers do the things they do for the paydays and the fans. So to all you wise-ass haters, I urge you to get away from your day job, your comfy lives, and step in the ring and take a right hand from ANYONE, and then let me know how your body feels.

With all the hype surrounding this fight one would hope De la Hoya comes in one hundred percent. If he says he isn't, then he obviously isn't. A small wrist injury may seem like nothing to the average Joe who doesn't know the difference from a jab and a left hook, but it's a big deal once inside the ring. Especially after surgery. And I'm sure all the Vargas egomaniacs out there don't want any excuses after the fight (win, lose or draw, whatever the case may be), and I know damn well that there won't be any from either warrior after September 14th. Because both guys are high individuals with class, no matter how the media tries to portray them.

But any man who steps between the ropes, on any level of boxing, is damn well not a CHICKEN. Frustration with an athlete is normal, especially when you expect great things from them and time wears away at your patience (as De la Hoya's case). Just because I write doesn't mean I don't often find myself bitchin' at fighters, but I try so to do it in a manner of respect, because no matter who you like/dislike in the game, everyone deserves your respect.

I'm not sure who will win this war. Whoever comes through, boxing will gain something from it. I dread the morning after…..

East Side's Mike Samuels can be reached at Tyson180@aol.com