You can always feel the drama build when a good fight is brewing before the public eye. The scene that usually unfolds is reminiscent to an after school brawl between a bully and the good guy. Enter the media; we all know who sells drama the best. By no box office mistake, Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather could be the epitome of the media's attempt to sell tickets and may possibly rank as the highest selling Pay-Per-View Boxing event ever.
Unlike ever before have two fighters allowed the media a closer glimpse into the rigorous training camps and intense day to day lives of a boxer. HBO Sports has documented these events in a four part mini series “24/7” (Sunday 10:30pm). The network is wagering this in depth look in to the boxers training camps will generate more sales for the May 5th event. There is quite a bit of controversy taking place in the two camps these days. Oscar's camp has changed since his last fight. He switched trainers leaving Floyd Mayweather Sr. and has acquired the much sought after Freddie Roach. De La Hoya felt that Mayweather, Sr. would not be able to prepare him properly for a fight against his own son Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Mayweather's camp has seen some changes as well. The resurfacing of his father back into camp has made for some interesting moments. Floyd's current trainer and uncle, Roger Mayweather is returning back to camp following a one year suspension from boxing for his participation in a ring melee last year against Zab Judah. Adding to the friction Roger Mayweather and Floyd Mayweather, Sr. are not on speaking terms with each other. Time will tell if the tension between the two trainers proves to be a negative within the Mayweather camp.
This fight has more at stake for the two pugilists than they have faced in recent years. On the line for Oscar, is his legacy, for Mayweather, his undefeated record and the possibility that he can’t back up his big mouth. De La Hoya vs. Mayweather “The World Awaits” is for the WBC super welterweight championship, Saturday May 5th at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, the fight will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View at 9p.m. ET/6p.m. PT and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes and in 176 countries around the world. Finally Cinco de Mayo means much more than drinking Coronas at your local bar, this May 5th its fight night! It just doesn't get any better than drinking and violence, controlled of course.