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Tiger Woods is everything Oscar De La Hoya isn't

Monday May 7, 2007 | 12:52:02 pm 283 words, 7493 views  

When all is said and done with the boxing career of Oscar De La Hoya, there will be plenty of good things to say. He was one of the top fighters in multiple weight divisions, he attracted non-boxing fans to the sport, and he fought the best of his era.

Unfortunately for the Golden Boy, however, every time he faced the best competition, he lost. With the exception of De La Hoya’s embarassing loss to Bernard Hopkins, four of the five losses Oscar suffered were of the close decision variety. Close decisions De La Hoya could have won had he just done enough.

Compare that to one Tiger Woods, who has performed at his best against the best competition. In fact, a look at the five career losses by De La Hoya shows the difference between the pair. Two of De la Hoya’s losses came when Woods was representing the U.S. at Ryder Cup matches, while the U.S. lost, few put the blame squarely on Tiger. It is the three other losses that correlate perfectly to Tiger wins, that show us all we need to know about these two great athletes.

June 17, 2000: De La Hoya loses to Shane Mosley
June 18, 2000: Tiger Woods wins U.S. Open

Sept. 13, 2003: De La Hoya again loses to Mosley
Oct. 5, 2003: Woods wins WGC-American Express Championship

May 5, 2007: De La Hoya loses to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
May 6, 2007: Woods wins Wachovia Championship

When Oscar De La Hoya’s journey began, his aim was boxing greatness. By competing at the same time as Tiger Woods - a man who truly dominated his sport and will be considered an all-time great - it is apparent De La Hoya fell short of that dream.

–WKW

Permalink 6 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Iggy [Visitor]
What a tard to compare Woods to Oscar. Why dont write something good. Rookie!
PermalinkPermalink 05/07/07 @ 13:51
Comment from: kelly [Visitor]
That is a reach - parallels between a golfer and a boxer?!

Great writing. How about this for a comparison?

William K. Wolfrum - 5/7/2007 Writes horrible article for the world to read

Sam Raimi - 5/7/2007 writes/directs "Spiderman 3" #1 box office
PermalinkPermalink 05/07/07 @ 15:45
Comment from: Monica Rosendo [Visitor]
Be that as it may; So De La Hoya lost! most people do not see it that way, me including. There is a long shot to comparing a really brutal, physical sport like boxing to that of a laid back, non agressive sport like golfing. You can agree that both of these athletes bring in the crowd and that most people all over the world want to know what is going on in their stats!! Why not put De La Hoya on the course and Tiger in Boxing shorts and see What Happens..


PermalinkPermalink 05/07/07 @ 16:04
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
WKW,

Since you're into ridiculous comparisons, Oscar has a won-loss record that is infinitely better than that of Woods.

Also, a few years ago in Cabo San Lucas, I saw Oscar play a few holes of golf.

I'd wager the farm that Oscar is a much better golfer than Tiger is a boxer.

Sure, that comparison is stupid, but not any more so than your original premise.
PermalinkPermalink 05/08/07 @ 08:30
Comment from: Chico and the Man [Visitor]
De la Hoya win fight. He pride of East L.A., Golden Boy is handsomess man in world entire. Sure Oscar missy over 80% of his punches and fight with all passion of sick donkey or man who just want to cash paycheck, but he still hero to my peoples. So what that he lose, at least he have honor and dignity and reputation as a gentleman. 3 illegitimate children, rape accusations is not so bad, compare to my brother Carlos he rap sheet no so bad. Mexican-Americans should be proud of Oscar even if he no can win the big fight, or finish fights strong. Me still fan for Golden boy and I understand this compare to Tiger everybody knows he no punch anybody.
PermalinkPermalink 05/08/07 @ 09:06
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Chico,

Nice try but you're not fooling me.

Your spelling is far too good on some fairly difficult words for you to be a "pachuco>'

And no one from East L.A. has ever referred to somebody from his 'hood as a Mexican-American, especially one hyphenated and capitalized.
PermalinkPermalink 05/08/07 @ 15:05

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William K. Wolfrum William K. Wolfrum

a WorldGolf.com Blog

WorldGolf.com's William K. Wolfrum blogs about everything in the world of golf and travel, including Michelle Wie, Lorena Ochoa, Tiger Woods and other PGA and LPGA headlines. Plus, he offers the humorous and obscure in news, politics and pop culture.