Sergio Martinez v Oscar De La Hoya at 154lbs

Oscar.

 

DLH by debated decision in a highly competitive tactical boxing match. Oscar wasn't nearly as good at 154 as at lower weights, but still performed very well vs. the elite. Of course Martinez never fought a true elite fighter at that weight so it's difficult to predict, but looked something else vs. the likes of Bunema or Richard Williams, a very good fighter back in the day. Jim Lampley called that Maravilla the fastest 154-er he's ever seen, and Martinez also has those very long arms, sharp reflexes, very good ring IQ and supreme athleticism to trouble Oscar.

DLH would find difficulties adjustiing to Martinez' flashy awkward lefty style but would still have enough success with his jab and occasional combinations to be ahead after 6, possibly stealing some close rounds with late round flurries, but Martinez' stamina advantage would turn it around to set his own jab, find success with his own combinations and flurries and finish strong to lose a debated decision with about the same amount of fans having either fighter ahead.

I consider DLH maybe the best fighter since Pernell Whitaker, but his biggest problem was not sticking to a single trainer or style and abandoned many things during the years that were extremely impressive early. Had one of the best jabs of his generation, fought on the move beautifully, generated speed and power on the bounce like Pac, was very hard to hit, he was the total package and a level above the best ever Martinez, who I consider true elite. But many things were missing at the 154lbs version, that's why I think it's a competitive, close and much debated fight with DLH getting the split call.

Everyone should watch old DLH fights plus Martinez vs. Bunema/Richard Williams etc, at their very best, they were exceptional fighters. Too bad this one never happened, it was on the table as Martinez became Oscar's mandatory before the Mayweather fight, but IMO the shoulder injured De La Hoya loses a fairly clear decision to Maravilla.

 

154 Oscar wasn't as good overall as the 147 Oscar -- of course minus the Pac fight. I think Oscar still takes Sergio though, at either weight

 

Martinez knocks out De La Hoya with those solide,precise right and left. They are so accurate and effectively damaging.
De La Hoya' s punches were kind of sloppy back then.

 

Dlh.

 

martinez and rather easy.

 

Tell that to Quartey, Trinidad, Vargas and especially Mayorga.

 

Would anyone really be interested in seeing two pretty boys getting they faces messed up?:think

 

Both Quartey and Trinidad fights were at the welter weight. At Vergas and Mayorga fights, which occured at the super welter, De La Hoya was not so good and his punches were kind of sloppy IMO.
Both Vergas and Mayorga had been damaged and different fighter since their fight against Trinidad.

 

The small weight difference wouldn't change his punching accuracy. His speed sure, but he was always an accurate, crisp puncher. Of course when your best punch is a hook, you're gonna be swinging at air sometimes.

 

I am not sure about that. I think De La Hoya's best weight is between the welter and the super light.
Although I admit his performances in those weight divisions are excellent, I don't think he was not so good in heavier than the welter.
The fights against Vergas and Mayorga were highly entertaining but De La Hoya was sluggish and his punches are sloppy and not accurate, cisp neither.

 

Martinez

 

concur, dlh fit nicely onto the super welterweight division, he was a big welterweight anyway. and to this date, he blew Mayorga faster and easier then both mosley and trinidad did, and that was st 154, not to mention he scored his greatest victory at 154, beating vargas.

 

:deal Oscar clearly beat Mosley in the rematch and I think that was his last fight close to his prime. At 160 it's a win for Martinez. Close fights either way. Both very fast and both hit hard.

 

You made a lot of very good points. Wonderful post. I agree it would be a tight fight and many people forget DLH's last fights were with a torn rotator cuff that never healed. So yes, that DLH would probably get outpointed vs Martinez. But the DLH who fought Castillejo and Vargas is a different story. ****, the triple jabs DLH was throwing against Vargas were insane.