Boxing careers don't end up nice and tidy with a trophy held overhead and confetti dropping from above. No they more often end in an attempt to see if a fighter has anymore left. And this might happen a few times. Sometimes we see fighters with diminishing skills continue on cashing diminishing paychecks.
Holyfield.
People really knock guys that do that, but I don't. Whatever the reason, what's wrong with a guy cashing a check?
Lots of fight fans thought Oscar should have never taken this fight in 2008. Maybe a few years ago yes, but he hasn't shown much his last few times out. Last night was maybe not the start of but hopefully about the end of Oscars in the ring fighting.
He was totally outmatched by an awesome Manny Pacquiao. Manny's hands were fast, his feet were moving, his head bobbing. He looked impossible to hit. He could do what he wanted and Oscar couldn't do much. The first round was the closest, but after that it was all Manny.
The last 2 rounds were painful to watch and I was hoping someone, Oscar's corner, the ringside doctor, or Manny, would find a way to get an 8 count and have the ref stop it. In Oscars corner the ref said he would stop it if he came out and took more punches, and his corner said they were going to stop it. Oscar just sat there with his face all beat up not answering their questions. But that was his answer.
As a fight fan and a BIG De la Hoya fan since his Olympics way back when I felt sad seeing him sitting on the chair. If he could find it in him to come out and just throw some hard punches, land a few, win a round it was going to be worth doing. But it just wasn't there and he knew it. Man I almost cried waiting for that bell to ring and the fight to be waved off. It was so sad.
Think about his amazing boxing career and all he has done. He has been training in a boxing gym since he was a teenager. I'm sure in some ways he's addicted to working out in a gym. He represented the USA in the Olympics in 1992. When he turned pro the Mexican boxers had it in for him. He was from LA, not Mexico. He wasn't part of their crew. He had epic battles. Awesome fights. He was always a good looking guy that could bring in the crowds live and on pay per view. Last night at Rickys in San Leandro it was a sold out house @ 25.00 per person.
In the 90's he probably inspired more Mexican American kids to walk into a boxing gym than we will ever know. He should go down as one of he greatest fighters ever, and his success on the business end of boxing with his promotion company should reinforce that.
But last night it ended for his fans if not for him. And it wasn't pretty. He said his heart wants to continue, but wasn't sure if he should. As a fan my heart also wants him to continue, but he shouldn't.
Thanks Oscar it was a fine fun and proud run.
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