There was a brief window that year where Nelson-DLH looked a possibility at super featherweight. Oscar had picked up his first belt in March (WBO title against Johnny Bredahl) before Nelson embarked on a rematch with Jesse James Leija (which he would lose). Let's imagine that Nelson squeaks past Leija and Nelson and De La Hoya meet in the summer of 94. Who wins? The younger and faster but green Golden Boy or the old but still dangerous Professor? And how do you see it playing out?
At this stage the young hungry DLH beats Nelson and might stop him around the 8-12 range. Either way I don’t think Nelson would beat Oscar here. Perhaps the 88-90 version of Nelson would but that would still be tough.
I don't know. DLH was still pretty green at this point. I watched his first (and only) defense of his WBO super featherweight title that he made in May that year (the same month that Nelson lost to Leija). He got dropped in the first round although recovered quickly and destroyed his opponent quickly after that. But he was only 13-0 at the time and hadn't had too many challenging assignments. Nelson would have been a serious step up in class.
Well while we will never know for sure I like your scenario better. For me as a huge Nelson fan I thought he was in decline in 92 and by 94 Leija it was noticeable IMO, many (not me) feel Leija deserved the decision in 93 as well. I feel his speed was in decline and that would not fare well against Oscar..but Oscar was green as you say, and it has been a while since I have revisited Campanella and Bredahl....I might go back and have a look.
Just watched that fight again. I think Sanchez was in control the whole time and when he turned it up he took him out.
Sanchez was unbelievable. Just a savant where boxing is concerned. This fight and what Az accomplished later tell you how great he was.
I'm gonna say this fight is the first where the Golden Boy gets severly tested. Azumah, up for the challenge, is underestimated by Oscar's camp and the first half bears this out. Despite being younger, fitter, Oscar finds himself struggling against the professor and being picked off. But La Hoya did have heart and comes out in a more aggressive manner for the 7 th. The fight sways Oscar's way as he backs his man up and Nelson s legs feel the pace. But.. Still not over, as Oscar's tank begins to empty and Azumah seizes the chance to battle back. In the 12 th and final round, it almost looks as if it may be a ko for Nelson! Oscar is having to cling on desperate not to be stopped,as Az throws everything at his man. But the bell rings out and a relived Golden Boy is saved. Both put there arms in the air and the general feeling is that the veteran warrior has done it again. The score s are read out for the winner by split decision... And... Still super featherweight champion of the world.. Oscar De La Hoya! The crowd is in uproar as most believe Azumah should be the new champion this day. Oscar would always say that old professor gave him a lesson in Boxing.
I don't know about that. It looked like he was getting beat up and Nelson blew his load. I definitely do not think he was in control in the early rounds.
Total control. Nelson was throwing and moving while Sanchez looked to be in a sparring match. Sal was figuring out a guy he knew nothing about. Never been a boxer to make it look that easy. Dude used to sit in the corner looking like he was at a park bench watching pigeons. Sal is one of the few fighters in modern boxing that I don't doubt could have fought a 25 round match and not broken a sweat.
Arum is not having his money guy lose a decision on the cards. That means an an old Nelson has to get the ko to win. Sure do not see that outcome in this. At best, a knockdown but no stoppage. more likely is hurting him and covering up but never going down. So lopsided scorecards in a close bout but the Arum judges are going to give lots of rounds to Oscar. So a guy like Nelson is down about 3 or 4 rounds before the fight starts. Azumah always lost rounds in his fights. And Nelson is not winning 9 or 10 rounds to squeek by with a close decision against this opponent.
As a Sanchez fan, its hard to not watch his fights through rose colored glasses but if this fight is watched objectively, he was not in control the entire fight. Nelson had him in trouble several times in the early rounds. Sanchez as cool as he is made the proper adjustments and started to dominate. However Nelson made a very good account of himself. I'm to re-watch it this evening and timestamp Nelson's successes.
