Mayweather and de la Hoya weigh in

Publish date: 2024-05-22

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LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Unbeaten Floyd Mayweather and crowd favorite Oscar de la Hoya have weighed in for their eagerly-awaited showdown for the WBC super-welterweight title in Las Vegas.

Mayweather, who has stepped up a weight, tipped the scales at 150 pounds (68.03kg), his heaviest ever for a bout, while golden boy de la Hoya came in right on the mark at 154 pounds (69.85 kg).

"Weight doesn't win fights. Popularity doesn't win fights. Skill wins fights. That's what I have," Mayweather said. "I don't care if he outweighs me by 25 pounds. I'm going to beat him when it's all said and done."

Mayweather, 37-0 with 24 knockouts, is seen as boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter while popular Mexican-American hero de la Hoya, 38-4 with 30 knockouts, is set to pass Mike Tyson as boxing's all-time pay-per-view revenue king.

The fight is set to generate over $100 million and the interest was clear as over 7,000 fans attended the weigh-in at the MGM Grand.

"I feel really good. I feel strong and ready to go," de la Hoya said.

De la Hoya, the older man at 34, is having only his second fight in two and a half years as he defends his crown.

Thirty-year-old Mayweather is the bookmaker's favorite and has upped the ante with pre-fight "trash-talking" aimed at generating yet more interest in the contest.

"I've done enough talking," he said. "Now it's time to fight."

Strategy will play a pivotal role in the fight, with de la Hoya needing to take advantage of superior size to offset the youth and speed advantages of Mayweather.

"It's a matter of controlling the pace, being smart out there," de la Hoya said. "He's a good tactical fighter. You just have to be smart. It's all going to come down to speed and punching power."

Veteran referee Kenny Bayliss, who officiated Mayweather's 1996 professional debut, was named to handle Saturday's main event with Chuck Giampa, Jerry Roth and Tom Kazczmareck installed as judges.

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