IN WHAT WAS the biggest grossing fight in the history of boxing, certainly helped to publicize the sport. The split decision Floyd Mayweather Jr. (38-0-0-24 KOs) won taking the WBC Super Welterweight Title from Oscar De La Hoya (38-5-0-30 KOs) has kept Mayweather content. "I told you guys this is my last fight, and as of right now, I'm sticking by my word. I don't know what the future holds for Floyd Mayweather," he stated.

 

The fight Mayweather fought May 5th at the MGM Grand against De La Hoya proved that he could back up his words with his speed and his aloofness. His awkward style of fighting makes it hard for any fighter to look good in the ring. But the fact remains Mayweather won the fight on points, which is exactly what I said he would do.

 

When I spoke to Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) at the Hard Rock, he told me, "As far as I was concerned, it was a draw. Oscar should have used his jab!" Actor Wesley Snipes stated, "Mayweather's got the speed, but I got to give it to Oscar. He has the heart." If you listen to the fans, all 16,700 of them, or so it seemed they felt De La Hoya won the fight. De La Hoya, the aggressor for all 12 rounds, also felt he won. "I felt I won the fight," De La Hoya said, "I'm a champion. You have to do more than that to beat a champion."

 

When you look at the facts neither fighter was knocked down. But the scorecards speak for themselves. Chuck Giampa had it 116–112 for Mayweather. Tom Kaczmarek scored it 115–113 for De La Hoya. Jerry Roth, the final judge, wrote it 115–113 for Mayweather. Looking at the punch stats, Mayweather connected on 207 of 481 punches (43 percent). De La Hoya threw 587 punches and landed 122 (21 percent). In power punches, Mayweather threw 241 and landed 138 (57 percent). De La Hoya executed 341 and hit with just 82 (24 percent).

One could see that De La Hoya was frustrated as Mayweather was laughing during the fight. "I was having fun in there," Mayweather said. "I could see his shots coming. I stayed on the outside and made him miss." Mayweather stated, "He was rough and tough, but he couldn't beat the best."

 

Even at the press conference Richard Schaefer, Chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions, told the media that there was a question on the score cards and that the outcome might change. Bottom line, Keith Keizer, executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, ruled the one scorecard in question was correct and the decision would stand.

Although De La Hoya pushed the fight, he couldn't match the speed of Mayweather. He just couldn't score enough points. So what's the future for De La Hoya? "We'll wait and see before deciding my future," he stated. Don't be surprised if a re-match for this fight comes up in the near future.