This is a scenario that could have taken place. Oscar claims the light welter belt from Chavez in 96 ,defended it once then moved up to meet Whittaker .Meanwhile Kostya has the IBF strap . So ,question is ,if Oscar had delayed moving up, to meet Tszyu in late 1996 how would it have gone? Remember that Kostya was only a short time from meeting Vince Phillips suffering a ko loss ,if that's a possible factor here .
kostya's power vs oscar's skills? would have been one hell of a fight! either kostya by stoppage or oscar by ud?
I'm going to call it for late stoppage from Oscar. He was still relatively young and speedy ,which I think would have worked well against Kostya .A proper baptism of fire fight .There may also have being a element of over confidence from Kostya that see's him taken by surprise by ODLH .
I think DLH wins a decision but it would be a tough fight. Tszyu was good at getting in that right hand, quicker of hand then, good at timing, and DLH didn’t have that right hand like Vince Phillips. He was more left hand happy, the jab and hook. Still, Oscar was a better overall fighter, and also taller and rangier. His jab against MAG in Jan 97’ at 140 was the best I’ve ever seen it look, and 140 was arguably Oscar’s best weight. Oscar wins a 8-4 type fight.
DLH would beat him. He had a good chin and his speed and movement was too much. DLH could handle his size and power.
Oscar in about 6. It really isn't that close , firstly he was massive at 140 , then the speed and boxing ability . Oscar lands the left hook all night.
I remember back in about 1995 thinking that this fight was on the cards - Oscar held a lightweight belt, Tszyu was already IBF titlist at 140. Once Oscar moved up in 1996, it seemed only a matter of time, but then DLH signed to fight Whitaker after only one defense of his WBC light welter title and then Kostya got stopped by Vince Phillips. Agree that end of 96 or early 97 was the time the fight could have happened. Hard to pick - I really liked Tszyu but Oscar was very good at 140. I'm leaning towards Oscar but damn, I really wish we'd seen this one!
One of those multiple number of SuperFights in the 90's that never happened. There would be a KO, either way, because Tszyu pressures Oscar the whole night. I think Oscar gets the KO but Tszyu proves he's dangerous too!
I wanted this too & liked Kostya's chances for an upset. I just figured that Arum would not see his moneymaker losing a decision in Vegas though. Tszyu held that right hand out at an oddball position and I think when he lands it, DLH acknowledges the punch and throws fewer jabs. That factor makes the fight far more interesting if Oscar is not winning the rounds with that jab. And it could very well bust up or swell Oscar's left eye & that turns into a big factor. I also really wanted to see the DLH camp take on a guy like Phillips at 140. That's a tougher match and I really like Vince to get the nod in that one. I sure don't think DLH deals with that high punch output and work ethic from a tall lanky guy like that.
