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De La Hoya: 'Superstar'

I'm surprised he's still boxing when you think about what he's achieved in his career and all the money he's made - he couldn't live long enough to spend it all!

Jim Watt
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DE LA HOYA v FORBES
2am, Sunday, Sky Sports 1
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You often hear the word "superstar" being thrown around, but Oscar De La Hoya truly lives up to that title.

The money he has generated throughout his career is unbelievable - he's won six world titles in different weight divisions, which is phenomenal, and every fight of his is an event.

That includes a fight such as Saturday night's, when you don't really give Steve Forbes much of a chance. They've picked a respectable opponent who is experienced at world level, but he shouldn't wreck the script - and the script is obviously the return with Floyd Mayweather.

The last time De La Hoya faced Mayweather, he'd been out of the ring for a full year. Oscar has never officially retired, but he's had long breaks over the last few years and that may be one of the reasons he can still perform the way he does; he recharges the batteries and then gets back into action again.

But I would say a full year out when you are facing a guy like Mayweather was a bad idea - yet he still came very close to beating him. So this time he's having a tool-sharpener and that's pretty much what Saturday night is going to be.

That's not to say he won't be prepared for Forbes. We're all looking forward to the Mayweather rematch, but it all hinges on Saturday and De La Hoya cannot look past this fight.

I can't make a case for Forbes wrecking the script because his recent form has not been wonderful, but he will be aggressive and he will be in good shape.

He's lost two out of his last three fights but he's performed well in those. He's there for all the right reasons because he'll make De La Hoya work and he'll put on a good show for the fans, but I can't see the script being re-written.

Retirement

De la Hoya has told us he's going to have three more fights, of which this is the first, and that's the first time he's suggested that his retirement is close.

I'm surprised he's still boxing when you think about what he's achieved in his career and all the money he's made - he couldn't live long enough to spend it all!

Obviously he enjoys the limelight, and the pride of being an active fighter still appeals to him. He's definitely different to myself. When I won my world title, I was keen to get my future sorted out and I was quite glad to get out of the game.

If you'd asked me five years ago when Oscar was 30 if he'd still be boxing at the age of 35, I'd have said no chance, but he's still here because he enjoys it.

He'll want to finish up with some big performances and Saturday should be the first of those.

Tool-sharpener

The fact he's back working with Mayweather Sr again will help because I believe he's always got the best out of De La Hoya.

De la Hoya worked with Freddie Roach last time because Mayweather Sr didn't want to work against his son but I've heard he's prepared to work with De La Hoya for the return. That in itself would be a massive story but while Senior and Junior have always had a strange relationship, I don't know if he'll change his mind nearer the time.

De La Hoya has lost three of his last five fights and while they've all been in good company, he's arguably not been at his best. I think Mayweather will bring the best out of him, though.

Looking at Saturday, I would expect De La Hoya to be looking for a stoppage around the seventh or eighth round - I don't expect him to blast Forbes out of the ring early on. Without being cynical, this is a tool-sharpener and what's the point of that if you go looking for a one or two-round blaster?

Forbes is a decent fighter and you have to give him credit but I've no doubt that come the final bell, we'll still be talking about the Mayweather return.

Rendall Munroe v Salem Bouaita

Rendall Munroe's victory over Kiko Martinez was something of a surprise, perhaps because we'd over-rated the Spaniard a little bit.

Martinez had previously come to Dublin and beaten Bernard Dunne in one round, which was a phenomenal result. He was undefeated, he had an excellent knock-out record and he was prepared to travel - all those signs made us think he was a little bit exceptional.

But he wasn't, and all credit to Munroe because he got his tactics perfect in that fight. He was nervous at first but the longer the fight went on, he improved and I thought he won it clearly. I was at a loss to understand how one of the judges scored it level.

He required total concentration at all times because we all knew that Martinez could win that fight with one big punch - but he stuck with it and it was a career-best performance from Munroe.

Now he's facing a man who doesn't have the best of records - he's lost more than a third of his fights - but he's always mixed in good company. Salem Bouaita has never had the red carpet treatment and he's had to work for everything in his career. He holds the European Union title, which shows he's performing over the 12-round distance, so it should be a good match.

However Bouaita's not a puncher, so I feel Munroe can relax and show off a little bit as European champion. I don't mean he's going to win this easily - far from it - but he won't face the same sort of power he faced against Martinez.

I do worry at times about European judging, but as long as he gets a fair crack from them, then there's no reason why Munroe can't hold on to his title.