When done right, boxing may very well be the athletic manifestation of hip hop music. You have the hand speed, precision and combinations of a DJ; the swagger, breath control and killer instincts of an emcee and the ability to orchestrate and take control like a producer. In both you also need a strong team (corner men, attorney’s, managers, promoters) to put you in position to maximize your financial potential and your celebrity. At their highest level, both exude a scientific method in it’s strategy, execution and ultimately, victory. Although the rivalries are fiercely contested in the heat of the battle, a mutual respect is forged, when the competitors push each other beyond their limits. Rare is the occasion that 2 of the best in either world collide, but when it’s on “The World Awaits”.
This is where we are now, as we countdown to the showdown between the “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya and “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather. HipHopDX.com took to the streets and posed the question to the Hip Hop community and the responses came from a diverse cross section of the community and a few beyond Hip Hop.
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Here it is:
“The Golden Boy vs The Pretty Boy! Wow, what a fight, definitely one of the great fights of all time! I have to go with Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather, and the reason I choose to roll with him is because he reminds me a lot of LL Cool J! And Momma Said Knock Em Out! Huh!!!!!”
DMC
“It’s something about that guy Mayweather that makes me nervous. He likes to beat up people. He LIKES it! So how you gonna stop that? I think he gonna whips some ass, but De La Hoya will win outside the ring because he gonna walk away with like 50 million.”
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Doug E Fresh
“My brain says Mayweather, he’s seasoned and ready for this and he’s looking for that defining moment. But my gut says don’t go against De La Hoya. Everyboy knows not to bet against him, he’s dangerous. He’ll knock you out. He’s got that hunched over look, he’s not built or nothing, but he wins. I putting it out even money. To close to call.”
Ice T
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“It’s gonna be a major showdown and the fans are sure to get their money’s worth. I gotta go with my man Floyd; but Oscar’s no piece of cake. He’s a good boxer and he knows how to fight.”
Jadakiss
“De La Hoya walks around a little bigger and will probably deliver the heaviest punch of all of Floyd’s opponents, but he won’t catch him. Floyd is to fast and slick. He doesn’t get hit. Even if he does, his chin is solid, so he’s still good. De La Hoya is not going to look good against him. Bottom line, Floyd by decision.”
Clark Kent, DJ/Producer
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“Floyd is too fast and to smart, TKO in six.”
DJ Scratch
“Floyd!”
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Marley Marl
“The De La Hoya/Mayweather is going to be interesting and will probably go the distance…I’m leaning towards Mayweather due to his past prowess in the ring, but Oscar has a tendency in the past to whip his opponents who “push” his emotional buttons….a la Mayorga…..”
DJ Shogun
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“Oscar’s a tad bit stronger so he might do a little work. Floyd is too fast and he’ll outsmart him. I think they’re going to stop the fight by the 10th round.”
Rodney Jerkins, Platinum producer
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“It’s simple, Mayweather is going to crush him. De La Hoya is not ready. Seroiusly De La Hoya needs to stick to music and hang the gloves up. He should hook up with Ricky Martin, and Mark Anthony and the three of them should get together and be the Latin LSG.”
Gregory “Bigg Tyme” Smith, producer (Yellawolf, Rick Ross, Nappy Roots), Battery 5 Productions.
“I think Floyd will win the decision over Oscar…..He’s too fast and too accurate. He’ll spend the first few rounds feeling him out and then rounds 6 through 12 will be a cake walk for him…”
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Royce Da 5’9″
“Floyd Mayweather Jr. will win because he’s a BEAST! I chose him because I bet one of my boy’s my 2207 CLS that Floyd will win.”
Twista
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“I think Floyd Mayweather is an incredible boxer. I believe he will win the match but it will go the distance. Best of luck to both fighters.”
Freddie Foxxx
“That’s gonna be a tough fight. Mayweather is an incredible boxer, but Oscar De La Hoya is an incredible boxer too with experience. He’s been tested, he’s fought the best and won a lot of them, but people try to hate on him because he’s a pretty boy. De La Hoya is like L.L. Cool J. He’s talented, but people underestimate him because the ladies like him. I think Oscar’s gonna surprise people.”
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Cormega
“Both of these guys are great fighters. Floyd Mayweather has what it takes to win as long as he stays focused. He looks extremely confident and real hungry. But I will say this, don’t sleep on Oscar De la Hoya cause he will lay ya down! Floyd has my vote!!!!”
Rasheeda ” The Georgia Peach”
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“I think it will be a classic fight… I will be in attendence with my money on Mayweather….”
Serius Jones
“De la Hoya! I’m From Ca-All Day…My man got heart. You can’t take that away from him. I think he has the determination to win. It’s not gonna be easy, but I know he has been training hard for this,and I think he can pull it off.”
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Evidence
“May the best man win. I can’t judge either fighter because I’m not in their shoes, so I figure whoever wants it the most and is serious about the fight and not the fame will win.”
Chingy
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“Floyd Mayweather Jr. will win because not only is he my homie he is undefeated and he is the best pound for pound. Floyd is a hell of a fighter and they are definitely going to fight to the end. He is going to put hands on De La Hoya for real. Me and Floyd go way, way back…… he’s my homie for real.”
Yukmouth
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“I’m riding with…man I can’t say their both great fighters, that’s hard I fu@k with both of em’. I’m just gonna wait and see…. I’ll definitely be in the building that night.”
Omillio Sparks, Hip Hop Artist/Actor
“This fight is going to be fun to watch. I think Mayweather is the best; hands down, point blank period! But there is always a but. This one is going to be based off what the judges see an how they call it..They waitin’ to tarnish his image with some B.S”
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MISTAH FAB
“Floyd is going 2 win cuz he’s quicker, faster ,and just a better boxer right now in his career. Oscar was a good boxer in his time, but his time has come. Floyd just seems to me to be so hungry to prove to the world he’s the best to ever do it in his weight class. Oscar seem more into promoting fights and big paydays, which he does a great job at. It will be over in seven.”
Joe Hound
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“Even though my Brain picks Mayweather, my heart goes with Oscar De Le Hoya… I think he wants it more”
RedCloud, Hip Hop Artist
“Mayweather will win, because he is stronger, younger and has more potential.”
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Little Kev, Hip Hop Artist / Actor
“I’m not to familiar with Mayweather’s fight game so I don’t want to speak from ignorance. I am concerned with his approach to the fight from what I’ve seen. I’m a De La Hoya fan and I think he’s a solid boxer and he has the skill set needed to win. I’m looking forward to seeing it.”
NYOIL, Hip Hop Artist
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“You know De La Hoya is gonna whip that ass. I’m a De La Hoya fan. I was there with him since the Chavez fight. I’m not gonna say he’s gonna knock him out. They both got heart and they both have similar training, so it’s going to the cards. But the winner is De La Hoya, baby!”
Rocsi, 106 & Park
“Floyd is the 50 Cent of boxing! He’s talking reckless! He has a mean right hook and he’s a PROBLEM! De La Hoya was sitting in Puerto Rico looking all pretty and he’s gonna get rocked man, like Hasim Rahman!”
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Terrence J, 106 & Park
“De La Hoya ain’t no punk so I won’t underestimate his prowess, but I’m going with Floyd in 6 rounds.”
Tocarra, hostess of BET’s Black Carpet, Americas Next Top Model
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“I’m going with Floyd because he’s pretty. He’s gonna do him bad. He’s gonna get real greasy with him. I was in Vegas for 7 years so I know what the men down there could do.”
Alesha Renee, Hostess of BET’s the 5ive
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“I gotta go with my man Floyd. He needs to back up all that talk. De La Hoya is a champ, but I see a knock out. Floyd gonna take him in 6.”
Tango, “I Love New York”
“I can argue both sides so nice! That’s why I’m so excite to see this fight. I’m gonna go with Floyd cuz…….”
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Reginald Hudlin, BET, President Of Entertainmnt
“I’m taking Floyd, because Floyd is hip hop. He’s going to wear him out, then take him out in 6 rounds.”
Kevin Liles, Executive Vice President of Warner Music Group
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“Mayweather will win without a doubt. He’s faster, his defense is stronger and he’s smarter in the ring.”
Kevin Black, Warner Bros. Records Executive
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“I’m going with Mayweather, but he better look out for how hard De La Hoya hits. I think Floyd is more disciplined, in better shape and focused.”
Sandy Lal, CEO Kingpin Ent Group / entertainment attorney
“There is no definitive winner in this one. We have two proven fighters who are great athletes. This is just not one of those fights where one guy is the absolute winner before the first punch is thrown.”
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Moses Edward, CEO of Blue Moe Inc and Inkslingers Clothing
“If this fight would have taken place five-years ago, or closer to the “Golden Boys’” (De La Hoya) prime, it would have been a much more captivating fight. As of right now, De La Hoya is a good, but not great (he was great at one time) fighter who’s primary asset is his box office draw and the huge pay days he brings to fighters–when is Oscar laces up the gloves, it’s not a fight, its an event. Because this fight is taking place well after De La Hoya’s best years, I feel like “Mayweather should be a huge favorite, for one main reason: he’s the best pound for pound fighter in the game. Oscar has the heart of a lion (and he’ll need that in this fight) but he’ll be unable to keep pace with a faster, quicker, more technically proficient boxer like Mayweather. I’m not predicting a knock out, but I think by the time the bell rings and the fight ends, there will be no disputing who the clear cut winner of the bout is; and that will be Floyd Mayweather Jr in a not closely contested decision.”
Matt Conaway, Movement Marketing
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“Floyd is going to MURDER Hoya. I anticipate a third round knockout, or at least a knockout. Hopefully Floyd can stay out of the politics and focus on his hand game. If so, I think it will be a cinch for him to win the title.”
Lisa “Chase” Patterson, CEO Planet Meridian Public Relations
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“Mayweather-One word… Bang! I think it’s time for Oscar to do the job for the real champ… Right Floyd!”
Diamond Dallas Page, former WCW World Champion
“I think that Floyd Mayweather will win the fight by a decision. He is younger and faster and Oscar will fall behind late in the fight. Of course, I have been wrong many times picking fights and it wouldn’t surprise me if Oscar won; this is a very close fight to call.”
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Donny Lalonde, former WBC Light Heavyweight Champion
“I love De La Hoya, but against Mayweather I think it’s over. Mayweather is to young, has to much swagger, is a great boxer and a great fighter. I definitely think he’s gonna take it.”
Idris Elba, Actor
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“It’s going to be a good one. I’m leaning to Mayweather, but I’m not going to count out De La Hoya, because Floyd is moving up in weight. It’s tough to call, but if De La Hoya can’t deal with Mayweather’s speed, then he lost.”
Tamik Actor/Martial artist
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“They both are winners and great champions in there own right. If Floyd has been training hard, he will win. But I’ve heard he hasn’t – so we’ll see.”
Hill Harper, Actor / Author
“To be honest with you, I think De La Hoya is gonna pull it out. This is his last go round and I’ve been watching him. He got that eye of the tiger. De La Hoya, six round knock out! Fifty, you about to lose that mil.”
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Dennis Da Menace, Actor
“I think Floyd Mayweather will win because he has Paul Wall grills, and when is the last time you’ve seen somebody get knocked out with grills? Oscar will ask him “Let me see them grills…” and Mayweather will say “What?” and Oscar will say “Dem grills” and Mayweather will hit him with an over grills right…FIGHT OVER. Round 6.”
Donell “Ashey Larry” Rawlings, Comedian / Radio Personality / Actor
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“I’m torn between my heart, where I wanna go and my brain, where my money goes. My heart says Mayweather, but my brain says “This is a marquee fight and they wanna get three fights out of this.” So with Mayweather saying he’s going to retire and end it all, De La Hoya is going to win somehow. They need to set up the rematch, you know how boxing is.”
Talent, Comedian / Radio Personality / Actor
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“I think the kid from L.A, De La Hoya, is gonna do his thing. De La Hoya in 6 rounds.”
Ronnie Wright, Hip Hop photographer
“I’m going for Floyd because I want him to end his career winning this huge fight; but I won’t sleep on the experience of Oscar De la Hoya. Floyd by decision.”
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Choke No Joke, Director
“This is going to sound strange because I’m a fan of Floyd. He’s a pitbull; a grand champion. He’s the 40/40 of boxing right now, but I have to go with the underdog, De La Hoya. Every fighter has a weakness and every human has an achielles heel. Oscar is a legend and he’ll expose and exploit it. De La Hoya within the first three rounds. After that I might have to switch.”
Johnny Nunez, Hip Hop photographer
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“I wish I could go to the fight! If I had to place a bet….I would bet on Mayweather!!!”
Michelle Williams, Singer/Songwriter Destiny’s Child
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“I think it’s going to be a really good fight,especially because they were both trained by the same trainer. I’m hoping De La Hoya wins, because I’ve had a crush on him since I was a little girl.”
Jeannie Ortega, Singer
“Although my heart wants me to go with Mayweather, My head says De La Hoya. De La Hoya still has a little speed left, he can avoid some of those Mayweather flurries and possibly cut that ring off. Floyd won’t be doing too much running. Oscar can also take a bit of a punch and he hits harder. With those components working for Oscar, Mayweather is in for a fight. Plus, Oscar’s got something to prove, he wants to go out on top… “
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Bradd Marquis
Who do you pick to win this megafight?
