DE LA HOYA WON'T BE A SHOO-IN.Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL Boxing The vast majority of experts give Fernando Vargas Fernando Vargas (born December 7, 1977 in Oxnard, California) is an American boxer and two-time world champion, who won a bronze medal as an amateur at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata. His nicknames include "Ferocious" and "The Aztec Warrior". little chance to beat Oscar De La Hoya Oscar de la Hoya (IPA pronunciation: [ˈɑs.kɛɹ dɛ.lɑ.ˈhɔɪ.jɑ][1]) (born February 4, 1973) — nicknamed the Golden Boy in their junior middleweight junior middleweight n. In both senses also called super welterweight. 1. A weight division in professional boxing having an upper limit of 154 pounds (69.3 kilograms), between welterweight and middleweight. 2. championship fight Saturday in Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. . They say De La Hoya La Hoya is a municipality located in the province of Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census (INE), the municipality has a population of 30 inhabitants. is too fast and too skillful skill·ful adj. 1. Possessing or exercising skill; expert. See Synonyms at proficient. 2. Characterized by, exhibiting, or requiring skill. for the Oxnard resident. They acknowledge Vargas is naturally bigger and stronger than De La Hoya but point to the beating he took against Felix Trinidad and two mediocre performances since and wonder whether he'll ever be the same. The fact is, a case can be made for both fighters. De La Hoya has his advantages, perhaps more than Vargas, but there are reasons to believe the 2-1 underdog will make this a competitive fight. Here's 10 reasons De La Hoya will win and 10 Vargas will win. De La Hoya will win because of his ... 1. Speed. De La Hoya's superior hand speed will cause Vargas trouble and his superior foot speed will keep him out of trouble. 2. Experience. De La Hoya, 29, has been in 23 world-championship fights (if you count the WBO WBO World Boxing Organization WBO Western Buddhist Order WBO Wehrbeschwerdeordnung WBO World Bamboo Organization (formerly International Bamboo Association) WBO Won by One (Malibu, California; a cappella group) ); Vargas, 24, has been in eight. 3. Skills. Lost in the glare of De La Hoya's shining star are his remarkable boxing skills, which might be second only to Roy Jones Jr. among active fighters. 4. Jab. The key to the fight? De La Hoya will keep Vargas off balance and at a distance with his steady left jab Left Jab is a one-hour radio program in the United States, airing on XM Radio Channel 167 (the Air America Radio channel). The show is hosted by David Goodfriend and Mark Walsh. . 5. Style. Vargas, most effective as a counterpuncher, relies on his opponent to come to him aggressively. De La Hoya won't oblige. 6. Chin. De La Hoya has been stunned, he's been down, but he's never been seriously hurt even though he's fought in five weight classes. 7. Confidence. De La Hoya never has suffered a beating like Vargas took against Trinidad. He doesn't believe it could happen to him. 8. Motivation. De La Hoya has pushed everything else in his life aside because he realizes his time in the ring is limited. 9. Intelligence. De La Hoya is smart enough to fight his fight. In other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , don't expect a brawl. 10. Left hook. De La Hoya's power might've diminished as he's moved up in weight. However, his left hook remains a troubling - and painful - obstacle for opponents. Vargas will win because of his ... 1. Strength. Vargas is the natural 154-pounder. He could outweigh De La Hoya by five-plus pounds come fight time, which could be a key factor. 2. Resilience. As proud as any fighter, Vargas will never, ever give up. 3. Skills. Vargas proved against Ike Quartey Ike "Bazooka" Quartey (born November 27, 1969 in Bukom, Ghana) is a former WBA welterweight boxing champion. Professional career Quartey entered boxing in 1988. He won the WBA Welterweight title on 4 June 1994 against Cristano Espana of Venezuela, with a KO in 11. , Raul Marquez and Yory Boy Campas that he's a polished technical boxer. 4. Motivation. Vargas seems to be the hungrier fighter. He has something to prove to his doubters and understands this a golden opportunity to do so. 5. Intelligence. Will Vargas lose his cool and place himself in jeopardy as a result, as many expect? Nope. He's not stupid. He'll be cool and calculating once he steps into the ring. 6. Time. Vargas suffered his crushing defeat against Felix Trinidad almost two years ago. He's had time to heal. 7. Corner. Let's say the trainers are equal in ability. Vargas has the edge because he's been with Eduardo Garcia since childhood. 8. Power. Vargas doesn't have one-punch knockout power but he has something there. He has 20 knockouts in 22 victories. 9. Lack of pressure. Vargas is the underdog. He can relax and do his thing with less-than-great expectations on his shoulders. 10. Youth. De La Hoya is pushing 30, an age when many fighters begin to slow down. Vargas is young, perhaps not even in his prime. --Prediction: Vargas shouldn't be underestimated. He's a well-schooled, tough-as-they-come fighter with uncommon passion. However, this one will come down to God-given ability and De La Hoya is the better fighter. Simply: Vargas won't be able to cope with his rival's speed and precision. De La Hoya will lose only if he allows the fight to become a brawl. As he put it, `It'll be as easy as I make it.' De La Hoya by clear decision. --Jones-Ruiz? Roy Jones Jr., an easy winner over tough, but out-gunned Clinton Woods Clinton Woods (born May 1, 1972) is a boxer from Sheffield, England. Growing up in tough surroundings he was involved in a life of drugs and crime before taking up boxing as an escape. He is a big Sheffield Wednesday fan, and has paraded his belts at home games in recent years. on Saturday, is talking about fighting WBA WBA West Bromwich Albion (English Soccer Club) WBA World Boxing Association WBA Weekly Benefit Amount WBA Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (Madison, WI) WBA Wireless Broadband Access heavyweight champion John Ruiz John “The Quiet Man" Ruiz (born January 4, 1972), Born in Methuen, MA and currently resides in Chelsea, MA, is a professional boxer. Professional career His professional record is 41-7-1-0, with 28 knockouts. . Bad idea. One can't help but think of other light heavyweights who've tested the big boys. Billy Conn William David Conn (October 8, 1917–May 29, 1993), better known in the boxing world as Billy Conn, was a Light-Heavyweight boxing champion famed for his fights with Joe Louis. , who was twice knocked out by Joe Louis. Archie Moore, who twice failed to become heavyweight champ. And Bob Foster, a dominating light heavyweight who crumbled when he moved up. Michael Spinks was the only light heavyweight to win the heavyweight championship. But he bulked up to 200-plus pounds, which Jones couldn't approach. Ruiz is a big, tough guy. One or two punches to Jones' chin could render the world's best fighter harmless. Jones also is considering Antonio Tarver, a legitimate light heavyweight contender. Fight him or Bernard Hopkins or Dariusz Michalczewski. Leave the heavyweights alone. Oh, and lose the dancing girls and rap song as part of one of the most obnoxious ring entrances ever. The Jones-Woods fight will be replayed on HBO Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) A form of oxygen therapy in which the patient breathes oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Mentioned in: Ozone Therapy 2 at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. --For the record: The date of the first Mando Ramos-Frankie Crawford fight was incorrect in last week's column. That fight took place Oct. 5, 1967. Also, the De La Hoya-Shane Mosley fight was in June of 2000. --Rabbit punches: Valley product Mia St. John Mia Rosales St. John (born June 24, 1967) is an American professional boxer, model, businesswoman, and a Tae Kwon Do champion. St. John, a Mexican-American born in San Francisco, California, attended California State University, Northridge, earning a degree in Psychology. and Christy Martin have agreed to meet Nov. 8. A site has not been selected. Martin will be a heavy favorite. ``Christy's biggest mistake will be underestimating me. I'm the Mexican in the ring and I won't let my people down,'' St John said. ... The Golden State Boxer's Association will honor Danny Valdez and Dwight Hawkins at its luncheon Oct. 1 at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Hollywood. Valdez and Hawkins met Oct. 1, 1959 in a thrilling brawl for the state featherweight championship, with Valdez winning a close decision. COMING UP FRIDAY --Julio Diaz vs. James Crayton, lightweights, Las Vegas, ESPN ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network 2 --Martin Castillo vs. Jose Lopez, junior bantamweights, Las Vegas, Telefutura SATURDAY --Oscar De La Hoya vs. Fernando Vargas, for the junior middleweight championship, Las Vegas, pay-per-view --Dariusz Michalczewski vs. Richard Hall, light heavyweights, Braunschweig, Germany, no TV CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Oscar De La Hoya, right, with trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., are preparing for Saturday's fight against Fernando Vargas. Associated Press Box: COMING UP (see text) |
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