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De La Hoya's The Pretty, Pretty Favorite

Photogenic boxer is hot, but can title fight heat up boxing?

By Jesse Andrews,  Newser User

Posted May 3, 2007 10:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – In the Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather Jr. title fight, the defending champion with the winning smile is the overwhelming people's favorite. And the bout is for more than just the WBC light middleweight crown. It's projected to shatter pay-per-view records and perhaps even rejuvenate boxing—a notion De La Hoya rejects.

"I think we've already saved the sport," said the charismatic Mexican-American, who will make at least $23 million (to Mayweather's $10 million) for tomorrow's fight. "It's not dying and it's not dead." Of his showdown with Mayweather, whom many consider the best active pound-for-pound boxer, he said, "I don’t see this fight going the distance."

Boxer Oscar De La Hoya looks on during a news conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. De La Hoya will defend his WBC junior middleweight boxing title against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 5. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boxer Oscar De La Hoya looks on during a news conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. De La Hoya will defend his WBC junior middleweight boxing title against Floyd Mayweather...   (Associated Press)
Boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr., right, and Oscar De La Hoya face off during a news conference at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. The pair will fight for De La Hoya's WBC junior middleweight  boxing title in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 5.    (AP Photo/Jae C....
Boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr., right, and Oscar De La Hoya face off during a news conference at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. The pair will fight for De La Hoya's WBC junior middleweight...   (Associated Press)
Boxer Oscar De La Hoya arrives for a news conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. De La Hoya will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a junior middleweight championship boxing match in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 5.  (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boxer Oscar De La Hoya arrives for a news conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. De La Hoya will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a junior middleweight championship boxing match...   (Associated Press)
Boxer Oscar De La Hoya, left, stands by a banner featuring a photo of Floyd Mayweather Jr. after a news conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. De La Hoya will defend his WBC junior middleweight boxing title against Mayweather in Las Vegas on...
Boxer Oscar De La Hoya, left, stands by a banner featuring a photo of Floyd Mayweather Jr. after a news conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. De La Hoya will defend his WBC...   (Associated Press)
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. works out at a gym in Las Vegas Tuesday May 1, 2007. Mayweather  will fight Oscar De La Hoya Saturday for the WBC super welterweight title and it is expected to be among the highest -grossing fights in history.  (AP Photo/Marlene Karas)
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. works out at a gym in Las Vegas Tuesday May 1, 2007. Mayweather will fight Oscar De La Hoya Saturday for the WBC super welterweight title and it is expected to be among the...   (Associated Press)
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