By Ron Widelec

17.09 - There has been a major trend developing in boxing in the last few years. Time and time again over the last 24 months, a heavily favored, and more highly regarded fighter, has found themselves at the losing end of a bout with a lesser known, but highly capable fighter.

This was the case with Prince Naseem v. Barrera, Trinidad v. Hopkins, Mosley v. Forrest 1 and 2, and Mayweather v. Castillo. In most of these fights, Naseem's loss to Barrera being the exception, the fighter expected to win was the smaller and better known fighter. Trinidad moved up from 147, and 154 to face Hopkins at 160 pounds. Mayweather moved to 135 to face Castillo. Mosley and Forrest were both established welterweights, but Forrest was the larger, more natural 147 pounder. In each case the larger, and less touted fighter was able to pull off an upset victory, or in the case of Castillo v. Mayweather lose a highly controversial and contested decision.

Oscar De La Hoya seemed to be in a similar situation this weekend. De La Hoya, who started at lightweight, was now fighting at 154 pounds, and against the most dangerous opponent at that weight. As in the previously mentioned fights, most predicted that De La Hoya would beat the bigger man based on his better skills and vast experience.

When the fight started De La Hoya looked to quick for Vargas as he circled and jabbed. But Vargas quickly showed he was not to be taken lightly. Vargas used his bigger size and better power to press the action and take the fight to Oscar. A seesaw battle ensued, with De La Hoya and Vargas winning alternating rounds. Vargas was landing the bigger shots, but De La Hoya was stealing rounds in between with good ring movement and a stiff jab.

By round 6 the fight was pretty even on the scorecards, but that was the only place it was even. Each had won three rounds, but Vargas had done far more damage so far. Then in rounds six, seven, and eight, Oscar came out punching, taking three straight rounds with his right hand landing consistently over the Vargas' defense. By the end of the tenth round Vargas needed to be saved by the bell. In the eleventh Oscar closed the show, and pounded on Vargas, forcing the referee to stop the fight. De La Hoya defeated Vargas by TKO in the eleventh. He was able to overwhelm the bigger man, and overcome the recent trend.

De La Hoya is now the champion at 154 pounds. So what is left for one of the best fighters of this generation? He has faced all the best fighters of his time and weight classes. His two most likely routes are a rematch with Shane Mosley, or a unification bout with the highly talented Winky Wright. Either would be a great match up. Both would be very difficult fights as well. De La Hoya looked good against Vargas, but only in the later rounds. He did not look sharp early on, and he will need to be his best against Wright and Mosley.

After seeing this fight I cannot help but feel that Oscar's new trainer Floyd Mayweather sr. has been a negative force in Oscars style. When Oscar was being more aggressive he was able to dominate Vargas, but at times he seems to be very passive and defensive, using his shoulder to block punches, rather then firing punches back. Also, Mayweather sr.'s attempts to make Oscar a right handed fighter seemed to make him think that he could no longer fire with the left hook. Oscar used the left very sparingly, but when he did he made Vargas pay. Makes you wonder what would have happened if De La Hoya used the left hook all night... Just a thought.

As for Vargas, he looked better then I expected, although I think that is mostly due to De La Hoya's lack of sharpness, and ring rust, which he shook off as the bout wore on. He is young, full of heart, and very skilled. If Vargas works on his defense a bit more, and keeps his temper under control, he will have a very long and successful career. He is good enough to challenge and compete with the best, but whether or not he can ever be the best himself remains to be seen.

In review, it was an excellent night for boxing. Finally a "superfight" lived up to its hype. It was close, it was fun, and it ended in decisive and spectacular fashion. A fight fan could not ask for anything more.