Bob Arum is getting into bed with Don King to set up the match most fight fans most want to see: Oscar De La Hoya against Felix Trinidad. Arum extended his deadline for Trinidad to sign after King countered his offer of $10 million for Trinidad with a bid for $11 million. We should know Friday.
Trouble is, De La Hoya seems to be looking past Saturday, when we'll find out whether the golden boy will defend a title when he fights Trinidad, likely in September. First, De La Hoya has to defend himself against Oba "Motor City" Carr, who's getting the third title shot of a respectable, but not distinguished, career. You might see Arum's take-it-or-leave-it, answer-by-sundown offer to Trinidad as a publicity stunt to drum up interest in the Carr fight. You would probably be right.
Oba Carr is a good boxer with the misfortune to fight as a welterweight at the same time as De Lay Hoya, Trinidad and Ike Quartey. Fourth-best just isn't good enough. Carr lost his two previous title shots, knocked out in eight by Trinidad in 1994 and decisioned in 12 by Quartey in 1996. He earned his shot against De La Hoya by beating an old and tired Frankie Randall earlier this year. While he's probably at his peak, look for De La Hoya to win, either a decision or a late- round knockout.
This is probably a no-win situation for De La Hoya. Oscar barely won a split decision over Quartey, and he's been ducking Trinidad for years. This is a fight he has to win convincingly, and he probably won't. But until he loses, De La Hoya, Roy Jones and Erik Morales are the best bets in boxing.
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