I know this has been spoken about before but I watched HBO's Legendary Nights - De La Hoya v Trinidad episode last night and it got me wondering about his legacy. Where does he stand amongst the all-time greats? I watched the Tito fight and he did give a boxing lesson for half the fight but the way he ran leaves a sour taste. He seems to accept responsibility but what about the way he went down against Hopkins? He beat an ageing Chaves which did nothing for him in my opinion. His performances against Mayorga and Vargas were excellent but they are not great fighters and will not be remembered as great fighters. Don't get me wrong I like De La Hoya and I like some of his performances and he does bring the razzmatazz into boxing and the hype surrounding his fights are incredible. But will be remembered for his performances against Gatti, Vargas, Mayorga or his losses to Mosley, Tito, Hopkins and Mayweather Jnr. Adios :huh
I always thought he was badly overrated, and he's basically lost every time he steps up to fight elite guys. His best wins were against old and shot fighters, plus the average Vargas.
ok he lost with every elite, but remember, in my opinion he beat trinidad and mosley in the 2nd fight wich cleans his losses at my view
I think of him as a ******, just because of the way he talks and carries himself. But other than that, he is a very excellent fighter, had a great amateur career, and a legendary professional career. First ballot hall of famer. Did a lot for the sport, even though I dislike him, it is true.
I dont think Oscar never really cared about winning after he got a taste of being rich, he was just in the big fights for money win or lose. I never doubted the fact he might be in fixed fights having his oppenents win, just so he could make the fight. Example: the Hopkins fight. I think he still be consider great boxer althought he lost to the best. and the way he lost fights were always controversial.
problem with oscar is, while i think he is a great fighter, is he a great lightweight?? or jr. welter?? or welter?? or jr. middle? he did his best work at welter........but thinking that he beat an ageing whitaker only by controversial decision to gain the belt.. and quartey hadnt fought in two years before meeting oscar (and had been knocked down twice by lopez in his last fight before the layoff and held to a draw!!). so he was not exactly peaking when he met oscar. and lots of people think that quartey won that one. then there are the losses to the best fighters he met at welter, mosley and trinidad. his defenses vs guys like corley, carr and rivera were solid, but not exactly the stuff of greatness. so he was one of the better welters.........but really a great one?? prolly not.
