Boxing

 

Preview: De la Hoya vs Vargas

By Yousef Faroniya

02.09 - The most anticipated matchup of the year this side of the heavyweights is upon us. Oscar de la Hoya v. Fernando Vargas. Golden Boy v. Ferocious. One is looking to cement his legacy, and the other is looking to build one. Oscar has claimed that he is hungry once again after toying with the idea of retirement for some time, and is ready to go on top. To do so, he must go through a young destroyer who has repeatedly mocked and insulted him, and who is one of the hungriest fighters in the sport. Both of these men are fighting for fame and legacy, but only one can come on top. So, who will win? No one knows for sure, but here's how I see it.

Speed- ADVANTAGE (DE LA HOYA)

Oscar, in his moves up in weight since his lightweight days has still retained much of his lethal
speed. His speed has allowed him to box circles around most of his competition until he finally met a
man who was faster that he is in Shane Mosley. While Vargas has sufficient speed, that is not one of his best assets.

Power- (ADVANTAGE VARGAS)

While Oscar has a high knockout percentage, his power does not rise in weight, and therefore he fights more cautiously with every rise. While he has the ability to brawl effectively, don't look for him to do so against the younger, stronger opponent.

Accuracy- (ADVANTAGE VARGAS)

What has made Oscar into such a valuable and special boxer is his accuracy with both hands. The
great placement of his punches has accouonted for several of his knockdowns and knockouts of opponents.

Heart- (ADVANTAGE VARGAS)

This was a close call going to Vargas for having faced any willing opponent with open arms, and for
living up to his "Ferocious" nickname. Surviving the furious first round assault of Trinidad was an
incredible feat. Refusing to be kayoed in one, "El Feroz" used survival tactics to survive and then took the fight to Trinidad and nearly knocked him out before falling to probably the only fighter with more heart than himself in round 12. Conquering such tough challenges such as Quartey, Wright, and Campas at such a tender age really proved his worth and talent.

Experience- (ADVANTAGE DE LA HOYA)

AT 24, Vargas still hasn't fully matured and has time to do so. Oscar, on the other hand, is on a
quest to cement his legacy before retirement. Oscar is a five division champ, destroyed the career of Mexican icon Julio Casar Chavez. and defeated former champs Ike Quartey, Pernell Whitaker, and is determined to go out on top. He has been through the battles and has learned the skills and tricks necessary to win.

Common Opponent- v. Quartey- (ADVANTAGE DE LA HOYA)

While both won close decisions (Vargas' win was less controversial), Oscar forught an active Quartey who dazed and knocked him down in the middle rounds. After an even match through 11, Oscar came out like a madman in the 12th, determined no to let the fight slip away. The visibly tired Quartey was knocked down, and the round cost him the fight. Oscar showed the determination and heart necessary to pull out a close fight. The Quartey that Vargas fought was inactive for long periods of time, partially because of cancelled fights, such as one against Whitaker, and had only fought once in almost two years prior.

Common Opponent- v. Vargas- (ADVANTAGE VARGAS)

Unlike his fight against Quartey, Oscar let the fight slip away from him. Felix didn't win, Oscar
lost. On the Vargas side though, many do not realize how close he came to handing Felix Trinidad his first loss. If it wasn't for Trinidad's big-fight experience, he would've lost his unblemished recored that night. After being pummelled and backed into a corner to start the fight, Vargas, when all the odds were against him, nearly bested the besat finisher in the sport. The saying "When the going gets tough, the tough gets going" was made to define this warrior.

FINAL PREDICTION: This was an agonizing decision, as Vargas is one of my favorite boxers today, but I predict a narrow decision victory for Oscar de la Hoya.

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