Poll: De La Hoya vs. Forbes. Who Will Win?
So why is there so little attention being paid to a fight involving the sport's biggest attraction? Mainly because few, if any, observers are giving Forbes any shot of winning the fight. Forbes is four years younger than Oscar, has never been knocked down as a professional, was a finalist on "The Contender" and has held a world title! So why is Forbes such an underdog? For one, his world title was at super featherweight (130 pounds) and he's fighting De La Hoya at 150. For another, Forbes wasn't even considered heavy-handed when he was fighting guys his own size (only nine KOs in 38 career fights), so his only realistic chance is to outpoint Oscar ... on Oscar's home turf ... with Oscar preparing for a mega-fight. Not gonna happen.
Forbes' only hope is that De La Hoya, looking ahead to Mayweather, is grossly under-prepared for this fight and that Forbes can simply outwork him in each and every round to such a degree that the judges have to give him the decision. And there is a precedent for such a scenario. Almost. In 2004, De La Hoya, in preparation for his fight with Bernard Hopkins, did his part by being in the worst shape of his career. Opponent Felix Sturm did his part by outworking De La Hoya. The judges, however, did not follow the upset script and awarded The Golden Boy an unpopular unanimous decision (115-113 on all three cards).
Prediction: Forbes is a solid pro who won't embarrass himself against De La Hoya. Winning, however, is another story entirely. De La Hoya is too big, too strong, too experienced and too savvy a businessman to turn in the kind of stinker that would leave the judges with no choice but to score the fight for Forbes. De La Hoya may score a knockdown or two, but Forbes will win a few rounds and last the full 12 rounds. De La Hoya by unanimous decision.
Who do you think will win? De La Hoya or Forbes? Vote in our poll.
Comments
Of course Oscar expects to win, otherwise he would not be taking this fight. But Oscar may have outstayed his welcome and the photos of him in lady’s unmetionable (wearing them!), says to me that Oscar may not be serious about a lot of things these days. Forbes is too small, even if beefed up to 150, and he is not a hard hitter, but he is smart and tough and he may see this as HIS big shot. Of course this is the kind of fight that will be interesting if the underdgo like Forbes has a shot and does win–and right now, I hope he does. I have little or no interest in a an Oscar-Mayweather fight–the only real fight would be Mayweather-Cotto and that’s not likely to happen. So Oscar may win, but I will be yelling for Forbes.
Andrew,
Of course Oscar will be favored and treated favorably. He did so much for the sport in the ’90’s, but he didn’t quite put it back on the front pages– too caustious a businessman, I guess. Long may he reign– at least one more time. Sad for those of us who enjoy the sport.
typical Oscar… he has made a great name basically fighting smaller guys. not that i am hating because he can fight but come on… Forbes??? yes he’s a good(B+) sound fighter at 130lbs but at 150lbs???? and he cant punch…this is as safe as a home run…it’s to get people talking because of his rematch against the P4P King so he’ll blow away a lil guy with no punching power and the bells and whistles will come out about him KO-ing Floyd this time since DeLaHoya has’nt had a KO in awhile …if he wants too really impress his legacy, to me, rematch felix strum..remember him the guy that beat Oscar but they gave to him (Oscar)anyway or fight Maragito another B level fighter with A+ punching power, or hell even Malinaggi..but for Forbes to come up and has’nt won a major fight since??? Bojado…Oscar this isnt fresh at all..at least shane went from Vargas to Cotto and B-Hops from Tarver to Calzahge and you suppose to be the head of Golden Boy then again it is smart a garenteed win with a credible name on the resume’……pretty smart but not Pretty Boy…
OSCAR BY *CONTROVERSIAL * SPLIT DECISION!!!
Reports are already surfacing that Oscar has been spending the last few days/weeks watching Floyd Mayweather footage rather then Oscar focusing on Forbes. So Oscar is underestimating him and I see Forbes giving him a really hard time with this ending in controversial fashion. One judge will rule for Oscar being paid off to set up a Floyd-Oscar rematch. One will judge right and give Forbes the nod, the other will convince himself Oscar did enough to win and give him a ridiculous winning score. I give Forbes a huge shot since he’s a bad style match up for Oscar and Oscar’s not really paying much attention to him!
WELL BIG DISAPOINTMENT FOR FORBES HE WILL LOSE AND OSCAR WILL WIN THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT FORBES WILL NOT BE THE WINNER WHY! BECAUSE HE IS NOT EXPIERENCE ENOUGH TO WIN HOWEVER OSCAR WILL FIGHT MAYWEATHER AND WILL WIN THAT FIGHT WHEN IT COMES IN SEP GOOD LUCK TWO BOTH LETS GET READY TO RUBLE
Forbes has never fought anyone in Oscar’s class. Oscar by TKO in the 8th