19.08.04 – By Carlos Campos: The odds are set. The preliminary fights are over. The contract is signed. More importantly, fight fans are ready. The upcoming title bout between Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins is the type of fight that maintains boxing fans’ faith throughout the year as we are forced to sit through matches featuring the likes of card-fillers Clifford Etienne and a past-his-prime Virgil Hill. This fight is the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the Everlast rainbow.
By now, we have all heard the comparisons of the De La Hoya/ Hopkins fight to the 1987 bout between Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler. And quite frankly, the comparisons are abundant. There is the older, experienced champion who has ruled the division for years. Then, there is the former Olympic champion who has been successful throughout his career, looking to topple a living legend and add to his legacy. But, the question still remains; will the fight have same ending as Leonard/Hagler? Will De La Hoya prove the naysayers wrong and actually defeat Hopkins?
No doubt many predictions for the fight have been made and many more will come. So, let me add my two cents. I believe the fight will be won before the first punch is even thrown. In fact, this fight will be won on a day the fight does not even take place. That day is also the same day that some of the sport’s most historical championship fights were also decided, weigh-in day. For De La Hoya/Hopkins, the weigh-in will provide insight into who will win and why.
Traditionally, some of the sport’s most revealing moments occurred on a day that is usually considered a formality by most observers. On the day of the weigh-in, fighters have completed their training, and are only a few days away from the actual bout. The only thing left is the mental part of preparation. The weigh-in is also when the fighters have a chance to size each other up one last time before the bell rings. And if you think that they don’t, think again. During his weigh-ins, Mike Tyson used to say he could “smell fear” from his opponent and could instantly tell if his opponent wanted to win the bout or just survive it!
When fighters appear at the weigh-in, most people don’t get an opportunity to witness the ensuing circus. With a mass blitz of media and entourage members scouring around, the weigh-in is usually a frantic exercise in last minute promotion. However, when you read the fighter’s body language or view their physical shape, in some cases, you can clearly envision the winner.
For example, anticipation was high during the weigh-in for the rematch between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran in November of 1980. After Duran’s dominant performance six months earlier, many fans were looking forward to their bout in New Orleans to see if Leonard was going to rebound from defeat or if Duran would make good on his promise to retire Sugar Ray. After taking one look at an over-celebrated Duran on the scale, it was obvious that Duran’s lack of training would play a role in his defeat and it did. This is a fine example of a fighter’s overconfidence derailing his approach to a huge fight and ruining any chance for a win.
Another facet of preparation occurs at the weigh-in, but it more psychological than physical. As noted earlier, during his prime, Mike Tyson would literally terrify opponents into defeat. A weigh-in with Iron Mike almost certainly led some opponents to question their sanity for even stepping in the ring with Tyson. And let’s be honest, most opponents were halfway through a count of ten before the bell even rang to start the fight. Unfortunately for Tyson, Evander Holyfield was not one who was easily intimidated. By the time he met Tyson in the ring, Holyfield had already withstood the pressures of Olympic competition, a championship bout in only his 15th professional fight and had also been in the ring with larger heavyweights than Tyson. During their weigh-in, Tyson was his usual brash, cocky self. While Tyson made all the commotion, a serene Holyfield could be spotted with a smirk on his face that foreshadowed the beating he was just days away from administering to Tyson. The key to Holyfield’s victory was his ability to resist the fear that enveloped Tyson opponents such as Michael Spinks and instead focus on his game plan against Tyson.
For Hopkins, this is his most important fight to date. Not only is De La Hoya the biggest ‘name’ fighter he has faced, but also, if the Executioner wants to continue his streak of title defenses that he cherishes, he must tarnish the Golden Boy. Mentally speaking, Hopkins is a throwback to the days of champions who were less interested in endorsement deals and recording contracts than he is in defending his title. He is the Marvin Hagler of our day, minus the Right Guard commercial! Hopkins has said also on occasion that he views all challengers as enemies, someone who is trying to take food out of his daughter’s mouth. So don’t let Hopkins’ pre-fight reverence for De La Hoya fool you. Hopkins will definitely be in prime mental shape for De Le Hoya.
At 39, Hopkins shows no physical signs of wearing down. He is boxing’s version of Barry Bonds. One thing about Hopkins is that throughout his career, he has never sustained a ring war. This has kept him fresh and always at the peak of his game. His skills inside the squared circle rival some of his younger counterparts, including De La Hoya. Hopkins always trains like he is the alter ego of Clubber Lang so you can expect every minute of training to be spent on controlling the fight against De La Hoya. In other words, don’t expect Hopkins to deviate from his usual style of seek and destroy.
I also don’t expect De La Hoya to succumb to intimidation or fear either. De La Hoya has fought on some of the most spotlight intensive stages throughout his professional career. Flat out, De La Hoya has been in the ring with legends. This is not even taking into account his medal winning performances in the Barcelona Olympics. Quite frankly, De La Hoya will not let the emotion of this fight overcome what he has to do to win this fight. Mentally, De La Hoya will be his usual prepared self. Physically, however…
Anyone who saw De La Hoya’s fight against Felix Sturm realizes that he was not in any kind of shape to fight. Maybe he didn’t take Sturm seriously or maybe he did, but that’s just the way his body holds 160lbs. Regardless, it was painfully obvious that De La Hoya must be in better shape on September 18th if he is to have any chance against Hopkins. Not known for his power to begin with, he will be facing a legitimate middleweight in Hopkins who can withstand his blows. It is unlikely that any shots he throws at Hopkins will do much in the way of damage. De La Hoya’s best chance for victory lies in his ability to go retro. De La Hoya needs to box Hopkins for all 12 rounds.
De La Hoya’s boxing skills are going to be the ace up his sleeve. Those skills allowed him to hold his own against Pernell Whitaker and would have won him his match against Trinidad had he not elected to abandon his stick and move strategy in the latter rounds. So far, predictions for this fight have ranged from De La Hoya getting seriously injured on this night to him just being embarrassed along the way to losing a unanimous decision to Hopkins. But then again, most thought Sugar Ray was going to end up hospitalized after the Hagler fight, and we know how that turned out.
Personally, I see De La Hoya using his skills and underestimated ring generalship to keep Hopkins at bay. De La Hoya is smart enough to know he doesn’t want Hopkins on the inside where the lethal hooks of the Executioner can take their toll. And, let’s face it; this is a Vegas fight where it is not uncommon for De La Hoya to receive a gift decision. Look for Hopkins to lose a split decision on September 18th. But, I reserve the right to change my mind until weigh-in day.
Carlos Campos
August 2004