De La Hoya has the edge
Posted: Wednesday September 15, 1999 06:51 PM
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Felix Trinidad recent problems with making weight may put him at disadvantage on fight night. AP |
CNN/SI boxing reporter Evan Kanew analyzes the De La Hoya-Trinidad showdown.
Matchup to watch, Part 1: De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad, Sr. The Golden Boy relies on his wits in the ring, while the junior Trinidad counts on his controlling father. Having thrived against a wider range of styles over the course of his career -- a wrestler like John John Molina, the brawling Julio Cesar Chavez, the crafty Pernell Whitaker -- De La Hoya has proven his adaptability. If Trinidad needs a Plan B, papa's got to preach.
Matchup to watch, Part 2: Trinidad vs. The Scale. Though he and De La Hoya look similar on paper, Trinidad is a naturally bigger kid. Word is that he has had trouble making 147 pounds before recent fights (he showed up late to his Whitaker weigh-in because he was sucking weight). Meanwhile, De La Hoya has gradually grown into a welterweight. Conventional wisdom says that intentional dehydrating before fight night could sap Trinidad's strength. On the other hand, Trinidad has been doing this regularly for six years, so his size advantage means he will likely come into the ring heavier and stronger.
Matchup to watch, Part 3: De La Hoya's left hand vs. De La Hoya's right hand. A converted southpaw (he writes, eats, and golfs lefty), De La Hoya's jab and left hook are his best weapons. In a recent conference call, he admitted that he's "a one-handed fighter." Translation: watch out for plenty of rights.
Common opponents: Hector Camacho (De La Hoya dec. 12 in '97; Trinidad dec. 12 in '94), Oba Carr (De La Hoya TKO 11 in '99; Trinidad dec. 12 in '94), Pernell Whitaker (De La Hoya dec. 12 in '97; Trinidad dec. 12 in '99).
De La Hoya wins if: He survives Trinidad's early assaults -- perhaps after coming off the canvas or with his left cheek swelling his eye closed to do so. He must give Trinidad nothing but angles and conjure up a decisive late rally.
| Inside Edge |
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Jab: De La Hoya
Power: Trinidad
Chin: De La Hoya
Speed/Quickness: Trinidad
Stamina: Even
Heart: De La Hoya
Prediction: De La Hoya TKO 8
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Trinidad wins if: He uses his quickness to keep De la Hoya in front of him, throws combinations at De La Hoya's vulnerable left cheek and doesn't get flustered as the wizened Golden Boy begins to figure him out.
The X-factor: Big fight experience. Every De La Hoya fight is an event, so jitters should not be a factor for him. Trinidad, however, has spent most of his career on Don King undercards. Will Trinidad drown in the fishbowl? Or will he rise to his biggest moment in the sun?
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