DE LA HOYA'S LEFT-HANDED COMPLIMENT.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer

Oscar De La Hoya has said repeatedly that this would be his year, that he would show the world what he could do to a quality opponent, that he would begin to fulfill his destiny in earnest.

On Saturday here, he made his point with one hand.

From beginning to end, the WBC super lightweight champion popped the face of Miguel Angel Gonzalez with blazing-quick left jabs that the challenger could never see, let alone avoid, and rendered him helpless.

And with the formerly unbeaten Gonzalez right where he wanted him, De La Hoya followed the jab with dozens of unanswered punches - mostly left hooks - and expertly avoided taking shots to win a lopsided decision and retain his title before 11,417 spectators at Thomas & Mack Center.

To Gonzalez's credit, De La Hoya was unable to put his opponent away. And De La Hoya suffered an ugly, puffy bruise under his left eye. That forced him to fight cautiously late in the bout, which engendered some boos from the crowd.

However, the fact remains that this was a masterpiece painted by a fighter destined to become one of the greatest champions in his sport.

The judges scored it 117-111, 117-110 and 117-109. The Daily News had it 117-109.

It was his first and last defense at the 140-pound weight. The victory sets up a more significant challenge against WBC welterweight (147) champion Pernell Whitaker on April 12, assuming Whitaker beats Diobelis Hurtado next week.

``The fight plan worked,'' said De La Hoya (23-0, with 21 knockouts). ``The jab was the whole key. The jab felt so good at times it felt like target practice.

``Now I can concentrate on Whitaker.''

De La Hoya was fighting for the first time in seven months after resting a sore shoulder. However, he certainly showed no ring rust.

From the opening bell, the champion landed the jab at will to pile up points and keep Gonzalez at a safe distance, which seemed to support the contention that Gonzalez lacks sufficient speed.

It appeared De La Hoya scored enough points with the jab alone to outpoint Gonzalez, who lost two meaningless points on fouls.

However, De La Hoya didn't leave it at that. In the fifth, he hurt Gonzalez with a left-right combination, then, moments later, landed two lefts that buckled the challenger's knees. It was the closest Gonzalez would come to going down.

In the next round, De La Hoya stung Gonzalez again with a perfect left hook. Again, Gonzalez, as tough as they come, remained on his feet and was never hurt again.

Curiously, De La Hoya threw very few right hands, which had many at ringside wondering whether he had suffered an injury. He said he hadn't, that it was his game plan to employ mostly the left. He later admitted that he probably should have thrown more rights.

Of course, he threw plenty as far as Gonzalez was concerned.

``He was very, very fast,'' said Gonzalez (41-1, 31 KOs). ``It wasn't his power. He hit me with two, three punches. That's how he beats you.''

Many believe Whitaker - a 2-1 underdog, according to Las Vegas odds - will pose the stiffest test of De La Hoya's career.

The long-time champion is 33, has abused his body and hasn't looked good in the ring in years. However, he hasn't been motivated in years. And, of course, a fight the magnitude of the April 12 matchup is expected to bring out the best of what he has left.

Whitaker, stung by reports of his decline, reportedly is living cleanly and training hard with De La Hoya in mind.

Also, Whitaker is left-handed and has an awkward style that could confound any fighter, De La Hoya included. Whitaker's done it countless times.

Still, there's a reason De la Hoya, 24 next month, is favored. Most believe he is too young, too talented, too strong and too focused for Whitaker at this stage in his remarkable career.

Assuming De La Hoya wins, fighters like Felix Trinidad, Kostya Tszyu, Ike Quartey and Terry Norris - as well as huge paydays - could lie in his immediate future.

If he can survive such a gauntlet of champions, it will be difficult to deny him the title of best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

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Photo: (color) Michael Carbajal, left, blocks a hook from Mauricio Pastrana during their light flyweight undercard bout. Carbajal lost. Story, page 10

Associated Press