De La Hoya Vs. Mayweather: HBO's Four-Part Documentary

Ordinary people used to follow boxing battles with greater attention than they gave to the world series of baseball. The true test of a sport's popularity is when it is watched by millions of fans who know only the rudiments of the sport.

It's those ordinary people whom HBO hopes to lure back to boxing with its launch of a four-part documentary series leading up to what may be one of the grandest boxing events of the era. Oscar De La Hoya is a known entity in the world of boxing. In addition to his boxing titles, De La Hoya's Golden Boy Inc. is a serious contender in the world of boxing promotion. De La Hoya's giant-sized photo has appeared several times in full-page ads in the Wall Street Journal. Oscar's notoriety doesn't end there. His 2001 Latin Pops album was nominated for a solo artist Grammy award in a field of entertainers which included big-name singing stars like Shakira and Christine Aguilera.

The boxing world will be happy if the actual boxing match is only half as entertaining as HBO's four-segment documentary detailing each boxer's history, hopes, aspirations, training regime, family connections, and world view,. The first segment is scheduled to air April 15 at 10:30 E.T. The other segments are set to air in the East on the 22nd and the 29th of April at the same 10:30 p.m. time. May 3rd is the date set for the finale. The last segment is set to air at 9:30 Eastern Time.

A big question concerning De La Hoya's boxing career concerns whether his mind is more on business than boxing. De La Hoya's win-lose record is not unblemished like that of Mayweather Jr., undefeated in 37 fights. De La Hoya lost twice to Shane Mosely. His loss to Felix Trinidad is thought by many to be the result of a three-minute dance in the final round when his corner told him he was way ahead on points. The great Philadelphia fighter, Bernard Hopkins, dispatched Oscar with a powerful shot to the liver at 156 lbs. Still, De La Hoya has been willing to face large challenges throughout his career. He distinguished himself in May of 2006 with a stunning victory over bully boy Ricardo Mayorga, a reckless and volatile mix of violence, vituperation, and raw power.