Polski opis

Ten pojedynek ma przejść do historii. Zwycięzca zostanie mistrzem świata wagi junior średniej WBC, otrzyma też specjalny pas ze swoim zdjęciem, umieszczonym obok sław boksu - Muhammada Alego i Joe Louisa - czytamy w "Przeglądzie Sportowym".
Starcie Mayweathera Jr z De La Hoyą ma pobić wszelkie rekordy oglądalności, przyćmić walki Evandera Holyfielda, Mike’a Tysona czy Lennoxa Lewisa. Akcja promocyjna prowadzona była w hollywoodzkim stylu, choć nie "nakręcał jej" mieszkający w Kalifornii "Złoty Chłopiec", tylko "Czarny charakter" z Las Vegas, czyli Floyd Jr.

Mayweather, mistrz świata w czterech kategoriach wagowych, od 3 miesięcy zapewniał na każdej konferencji, że rozniesie "nudnego i słabego" De La Hoyę (mistrza świata w sześciu kategoriach). Pewnego dnia na spotkanie z dziennikarzami przyniósł replikę złotego medalu olimpijskiego z Barcelony, zdobytego przez De La Hoyę. Zawiesił go na szyi kurczaka, dając do zrozumienia, co sądzi o swoim rywalu.
onet.pl

 English description

Los Angeles - The eyes of the boxing world will be glued to the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday when Oscar De La Hoya defends his World Boxing Council super welterweight title against Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
In the absence of any must-see heavyweight bouts, this contest has been hotly anticipated since it was first announced towards the end of 2006 and the build-up has been heightened by genuine tension between the protagonists.
"Golden Boy" De La Hoya, in the twilight of his career and arguably the biggest name in boxing, is expected to hold an advantage with his size and experience.
The polished Mexican-American, who has won world championships in six different weight divisions, tipped the scales right on the 154-pound limit at Friday's weigh-in.
Mayweather, widely regarded as the world's best fighter pound-for-pound, weighed four pounds less on the eve of his first fight as a super welterweight.
However, the 30-year-old American has the edge over his 34-year-old rival in speed and skill, rarely being troubled in a professional career boasting a 37-0 record with 24 KOs.
"I always rise to the occasion, beat everybody that they put in front of me," Mayweather told reporters earlier this week.
"Every time I beat an A-class fighter, I make an A-class fighter look like a D-class fighter. I'm going to dominate. Believe me, I'm going to dominate""
De La Hoya, much less verbose than the trash-talking Mayweather in the build-up to Saturday's much-hyped encounter, is ready to produce the unexpected.
"Don't be surprised if I'm faster than Mayweather," he said. "I think a lot of people will be surprised to see that I'll match his speed, or even surpass it."
De La Hoya (38-4, 30 KOs) has challenged his opponent to rise to the occasion and ensure the contest matches the hype.
"Make it a fight," he said. "Make it a fight that people are going to enjoy. Let's fight."
Saturday's showdown at the 17 000-seat MGM Grand arena, expected to be one of the highest-grossing in boxing history, sold out in three hours for a Nevada-record gate of $19-million.
The fight will be broadcast to 176 countries, with total revenue predicted to exceed $100-million
Independent Online