Sweet Homecoming!
De La Hoya outclasses Forbes in prep bout for Mayweather rematch

By Francisco Salazar and Edgar Gonzalez at ringside
Photography by Chris Cozzone
- FightWireImages.com

It was a homecoming fit for a king on Saturday night as future hall of famer and former multi-division world champion “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya made his grand entrance as he walked inside the soccer pitch and headed towards the ring at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. 

With a possible rematch on the line against Floyd Mayweather in September, De La Hoya was not in a celebratory mood and made sure he was not going to let his opponent ruin those plans.

De La Hoya got a measure of redemption of sorts he started strong and finished strong in winning a very technically sound twelve round unanimous decision over former world champion and finalist of “The Contender” Steve Forbes before 27,000 fight fans at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA and televised live around the world on HBO’s “World Championship Boxing.” All three judges had De La Hoya comfortably ahead with scores of 119-109, 119-109, and 120-108. Fightnews.com scored the bout 118-110.

The bout headlined a seven-bout “Homecoming” card, presented by Golden Boy Promotions. 

One year ago, De La Hoya fought the current pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) in a junior middleweight bout and dropped a twelve round split decision. He faded late in the fight and got away from using his jab that had worked well up to that point against Mayweather.

Fast forward to Saturday night where De La Hoya was fighting for the first time in Los Angeles since losing the WBC welterweight title against Shane Mosley (44-5, 37 KOs) back in 2000. 

The pro-De La Hoya crowd greeted their hero as he entered the venue and entered the ring to a mariachi ensemble. 

De La Hoya began the bout by fighting and executing the same plan he wanted to carry out. That plan was to be aggressive by throwing a stiff jab and then to follow it up with combinations behind those jabs.

“The Golden Boy” came on strong in the second round as he threw strong combinations at his adversary. Forbes did not back down as he took De La Hoya’s punches well and even threw some good counter shots back at De La Hoya. He was determined to counter with left hooks to the head of De La Hoya.

Forbes showed he was in the fight to win and not be just an opponent. He would roll with the punches and displayed a solid defense while not allowing De La Hoya to land cleanly. Forbes would then attempt to counter with combinations or with left hooks to the head.

De La Hoya began working more to the body in the fourth round. He was able to land more combinations to the head and was most effective in being aggressive when Forbes has his back against the ropes. De La Hoya took the initiative while Forbes continued to attempt to counter to the head.

As the bout continued, De la Hoya maintained the pressure on Forbes. He used his height and strength advantage as he was able to rain strong combinations down onto Forbes.

Although De La Hoya was hit and had his face marked at the beginning of the fight, he showed solid defense by not being hit as often. In addition De La Hoya had a lot of bounce in his step and used good footwork in not allowing himself to be hit squarely by Forbes. 

The best round of the fight was in the tenth as both fighters had their moments. De La Hoya momentarily stunned Forbes with combinations to the head. Moments later Forbes came right back and gave De La Hoya fits as the round neared its end.

De La Hoya finished the bout strong in the final round. He came out aggressively hoping to score a knockdown or a stoppage. Forbes, who has never been down in his professional career, would not allow De La Hoya to land anything flush as he gamely fought back and maintained his footing as the bout approached its conclusion. 

After the bell sounded, both fighters embraced in the middle of the ring.

Afterwards, both praised each other for their performance.

“This is how I envisioned the fight,” said De La Hoya, who threw 810 total punches and connected on 253 of them. “I am a little disappointed that I did not get the knockout. Forbes has all my respect. People know that Forbes has never been stopped before. The key was to use my jab and I did. That will help me prepare for the Mayweather fight.”

Asked what this fight did for a possible showdown against Mayweather, De La Hoya responded, “This is the way I wanted the fight to be. I was able to use my jab. I was aggressive and I was much stronger in this fight. This is the same style that I know I can beat Mayweather.”

The proposed De La Hoya-Mayweather bout, which has not been officially signed, is tentatively scheduled for September.

Forbes, who accepted the underdog role in the fight, was humble in defeat.

“He is a smart fighter, an excellent fighter,” said Forbes, who was fighting about 20 pounds heavier then when he won a world title seven years ago. “He’s a very intelligent fighter. He hurt me twice in the fight. I was able to recuperate because I was in good shape. It was an honor to be in the ring with him.”

Forbes, who was trained by Floyd Mayweather, Sr. years ago, predicted what could happen if De La Hoya faces Mayweather a second time.

“I believe Oscar can do much better a second time around against Mayweather if he fights the same way.” 

Forbes threw 776 total punches, connecting on 152 of them.

Ortiz stops Esalas!

Welterweight sensation Victor Ortiz stopped Dario Esales in the fifth round of a scheduled ten round bout.

It was a wild affair that featured four knockdowns in the fight. Both fighters are well-known for being heavy hitters and this bout proved just that.

This was Ortiz’ first bout since a first round annihilation over former world champion Carlos Maussa in November. Ortiz had contractual and out-of-ring issues that kept him from fighting.

Ortiz looked a little rusty, but controlled the tempo from the inside of the ring as Esales circled him from the outside. 

Both fighters scored knockdowns in the third round. Ortiz landed a three-punch combination that dropped Esales against the ropes. Sensing Esales was hurt, Ortiz went in for the kill and may have been a bit over anxious. A counter right hand dropped Ortiz backwards with both gloves touching the canvas. Both finished strong to end the round with Esales fighting with a new sense of purpose to pull the upset.

Ortiz scored a knockdown in the fourth with a strong counter left hand that dropped Esales face first to the canvas. Esales was on one knee and got up at the count of nine.

The end came in the fifth when Ortiz landed another left cross to the head of Esales dropping him again to the canvas. Referee Jose Cobian stepped in and stopped the bout at 2:31 of the round.

“He caught me cold,” described Ortiz after he was knocked down for only the second time in his professional career. “I have been out of the ring for six months. But I demonstrated my heart to get up and stop him.”

Esales, who has faced numerous contenders and prospects throughout his career, acknowledges that Ortiz is a special fighter.

“He hits hard and he has a bright future,” said Esales.

Paris Defeats Curiel by Split Decision!

Junior Middleweight Sven Paris won an eight round split-decision over The Contender’s Freddy Curiel.

Paris scored a knockdown in the second round with a well-placed counter left hook to the chin of Curiel. Getting up at five, Curiel attempted to box his way back into the fight but would he leave himself open to getting tagged.

Curiel began to box more in the third round by circling around Paris as he attempted to find openings in Paris defense. Curiel began to press the action and would be rewarded as he out hustled and outlanded Paris during most exchanges.

Paris would come back and land his fair share of punches in the sixth round.

Most of the action in the final rounds was back and forth. One fighter would land counter hooks and crosses. A few seconds later, the other fighter would land his hard crosses and hooks across the head. 

Both fighters still had the same amount of energy in the final round. Curiel came on in the final minute, throwing numerous arm punches that connected cross the body as both fighters were in close. 

One judge scored the bout 78-73 for Curiel, while the remaining two judges scored the bout 78-73 and 76-75 for Paris. Fightnews.com scored the bout 76-75 in favor of Curiel.

Paris, from Frosinone, Italy, improved to (24-3, 16 KOs), while Curiel falls to (18-7-2, 8 KOs). -- Francisco Salazar

Garcia decisions Gamboa!

Danny Oscar Garcia won a six round unanimous decision over Julio Gamboa (26-12-2, 16 KOs). 

Gamboa pressed the action with constant flurries against Garcia but couldn’t land a telling blow. The end of their scheduled six rounds left Garcia coated with a layer of his own blood after a collision of heads due to an accidental head butt. 

All three judges score the about 60-54. Danny Oscar Garcia’s record is (6-0, 6 KOs). – Edgar Gonzalez

Ferguson Decisions Munguia!

Wes Ferguson scored a second round knockdown, but had to settle for an eight round unanimous decision victory over Miguel Munguia.

Ferguson, who is managed by Floyd Mayweather, Jr., showed flashes of good technical skills. Other times, he was sloppy and fought down to his opponent, Munguia, who would throw wide, looping punches at Ferguson.

Ferguson hurt Munguia with a right hand to the head and dropped him with a combination. Munguia got up and actually fought back bravely. 

Munguia’s best round was the fourth when he went straight at Ferguson, pinning him against the ropes and landing hard shots to the head and body.

Ferguson used his speed and skill at times to box around Munguia. He slowed down however and would only throw one punch at a time as the bout neared its conclusion. 

All three judges scored the bout 78-73, 78-73, and 79-72 in favor of Ferguson. Fightnews.com scored the bout 78-73 in favor of Ferguson.

Jacobs TKO’s Pena in One!

Daniel Jacobs (6-0, 6 KOs) continued his undefeated knockout streak with a first round stoppage over Kansas’ Jose Pena (2-3-1, 2 KOs) in a super middleweight bout. A right hand send Pena to the floor, Jacobs swarmed him with punches sending Pena to the canvas for the second time referee Jose Cobian had seen enough to stop the fight at 0:53 seconds of the opening stanza. – Edgar Gonzalez

Sanchez Decisions Brambila!

Puerto Rican Hector Sanchez (12-0, 5 KOs) continued his undefeated streak by scoring a four round unanimous decision over Arthur Brambila (9-12, 4 KOs). All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Sanchez. – Edgar Gonzalez

Bonus shots & Notes from Ringside!

- Both national anthems from the United States and Mexico were performed before the main event began.

- A video detailing De La Hoya’s rise from humble beginnings in East Los Angeles as a youth was shown on screens throughout the stadium.

- True to Southern California sports traditions, a wave took place throughout the crowd during the undercard.

- Michael Buffer was the ring announcer for the De La Hoya-Forbes fight, while Lupe Contreras was the ring announcer for the non-televised card.