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Tough one to call
Bettors like De La Hoya but majority of experts line up with Trinidad
Well, even the experts are relatively split on who will win tonight's much ballyhooed welterweight fight between Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya.
While De La Hoya is listed as a slight 6-5 favourite, the heavy-punching Trinidad drew the majority of favourable reviews in a survey done by the Las Vegas Journal.
THOSE FAVOURING TRINIDAD
Evander Holyfield, IBF/WBA heavyweight champion: "It's definitely going to be a great fight. If I had to choose a person, I'd say Trinidad. He's a two-handed fighter a little more than Oscar, who fights pretty much with one hand. It's very even, and either could win, but I'd pick Trinidad by a notch because Oscar's pretty much a left-handed fighter."
Fernando Vargas, IBF junior middleweight champion: "I definitely have to go with Trinidad, somewhere in the middle rounds. Based on Oscar's last two performances, this is Trinidad's fight. Oscar has struggled, and (Trinidad) can get you out of there with one shot."
Orlin Norris, heavyweight contender: "Trinidad's got bombs in both hands, and I think he takes him out somewhere around the sixth or seventh around."
Lou Duva, Hall of Fame trainer: "Trinidad's way too strong for him. He'll tear him apart."
Larry Holmes, former heavyweight champion: "I like Trinidad, especially based on what I've seen of Oscar in the last couple fights. Oscar is getting hit too much. With Trinidad's power, he will prevail, and a late stoppage is a possibility."
Frans Botha, former heavyweight champion: "Trinidad's punching power will be too much for Oscar."
Derrell Coley, welterweight contender: "Felix is stronger, and he wants it more. The key to the fight for Felix is to take Oscar hard in the first three rounds and take his heart. Oscar has never tasted that kind of power early, and it will confound him. ... Oscar's only strength is his left hand -- the hook, the upper cut and the jab."
THOSE ON THE FENCE
David Reid, WBA junior middleweight champion: "I'm such a bad picker, I just can't do it. But I know the both of them are great fighters and to me, the one with the more heart and the one who wants it more is the one who is going to win."
Lennox Lewis, WBC heavyweight champion: "Oscar De La Hoya is incredible. Felix Trinidad is fantastic. I can't (pick a winner)."
Johnny Tapia, former bantamweight champion: "They're both good friends and great fighters. It will be a classic fight, and I just hope no one gets hurt."
Shane Mosley, former lightweight champion/current welterweight contender: "It's a 50-50 on the fight. I have a lot of respect for both fighters. I like De La Hoya in the early rounds, but if the fight goes past five rounds I like Trinidad."
Mark Johnson, IBF junior bantamweight champion: "I think it will be a great fight, one of the biggest in boxing in a long time. Trinidad has the punch to knock out Oscar, but Oscar will have to use his head and outbox him."
William Joppy, WBA middleweight champion: "The winner will be the one with the biggest heart, who wants it most."
Floyd Mayweather Jr., WBC super featherweight champion: "It's a tossup. Either of them has a chance -- basically both have a puncher's chance. Trinidad has two good hands, but both of their chins are suspect. It's all in who can take it."
THOSE FAVOURING DE LA HOYA
Hector Camacho Sr., former world champion who has fought both: "It's a tough fight, but Oscar has the speed, and he can hit pretty hard, too. He (beat) me up."
Rafael Ruelas, former lightweight champion: "It's a very difficult fight to choose a winner in. They're both very good fighters with powerful punches. It will be a case of who lands the first clean punch. Personally, Oscar has had more experience than Trinidad, and that might be an advantage to him."
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