On April 12, 1997, Oscar De La Hoya took on versus Pernell Whitaker in an extremely prepared for match for the distinguished WBC welterweight title, which was held by the skilled “Sweet Pea.” This electrifying bout happened at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The battle was promoted as a face-off in between 2 of the very best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing history, drawing enormous attention from fans and critics alike. The encounter showed to be an extreme and exhilarating contest that concluded in debate when the judges’ scorecards were exposed.

Analyzing Oscar De La Hoya vs Pernell Whitaker: A Look Back at the 1997 Fight Controversy

A Detailed Recap of the Oscar De La Hoya vs Pernell Whitaker Bout

As the fighters entered the ring for this fascinating match, Pernell Whitaker had actually held the WBC champion title for 4 years and was widely acknowledged as the lineal welterweight champ. Notably, he had actually stayed unbeaten given that 1988, when he dealt with a loss versus Jose Luis Ramirez. Leading as much as the clash with De La Hoya, “Sweet Pea” had actually come across a difficult minute versus Diosbelys Hurtado, where he at first appeared on the brink of defeat before performing an exceptional resurgence to stop the Cuban competitor.

Oscar De La Hoya, on the other hand, went into the ring with an unblemished record and had actually currently attained the status of a three-division world champ, presently holding the WBC incredibly light-weight title, which he had actually just recently won from the famous Julio César Chávez. This match was essential for both fighters as they intended to strengthen their traditions in the sport.

As the 3rd round unfolded, drama emerged when De La Hoya suffered a cut due to an unexpected headbutt. According to WBC policies at the time, this occurrence resulted in the reduction of a point from Whitaker’s rating. Throughout the battle, Whitaker showcased his protective expertise, utilizing his abilities to successfully annoy De La Hoya, making him appear disordered at numerous minutes. The emphasize was available in the ninth round when Whitaker landed a completely timed left hook, leading to the only knockdown of the battle, capturing “Golden Boy” off guard. Reflecting on the match, I think it was carefully objected to, with Whitaker deserving the win at 114-112; nevertheless, the judges had a various point of view.

Examining the Controversial Decision in the Oscar De La Hoya vs Pernell Whitaker Fight

The match was extremely close, yet Whitaker handled to choose his shots with remarkable accuracy while regularly making De La Hoya miss out on. This efficiency was a testimony to the ability and technique of “Sweet Pea,” however the result took a stunning turn when the judges revealed their scorecards after the last bell, granting De La Hoya a unanimous choice success with ratings of 116-110 from 2 judges and 115-111 from the 3rd.

Statistically, Whitaker out-landed De La Hoya and performed more jabs, however the judges appeared swayed by the viewed power punches of “Golden Boy.” Following the troubled statement, Whitaker revealed his frustration concerning the scorecards, mentioning: “I didn’t think I had to knock him out,” he said, sharing his sensations with the audience. “I put enough punishment on him, and that speaks for itself. That was the old Pernell Whitaker you saw out there. You guys all said I was 33 years old. And I wanted to come out and prove I had the legs of a 22-year-old.”