(photo courtesy/ property of HBO)
Headlining the inaugural boxing event at The Home Depot Center's 27,000-seat soccer stadium, Los Angeles native Oscar De La Hoya (38-5, 30 KOs) will fight live on HBO's flagship boxing series for the first time since 2001. Coming off the highest-grossing fight in history - his showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May 2007 - the former six-division world champion will be making his 31st appearance on HBO, hoping to thrill the fans who have supported him since his amateur days in East Los Angeles. The fight also marks the return of Floyd Mayweather Sr. to the De La Hoya corner as head trainer.
Steve Forbes (33-5, 9 KOs), from Las Vegas by way of Portland, Ore., is coming off a split-decision victory over the highly touted Francisco Bojado last October. A former super featherweight champion and finalist on "The Contender," who has never been knocked down in 11 years as a professional, Forbes will be making his HBO debut under the tutelage of Mayweather Sr.'s brother, Jeff Mayweather.
Steve Forbes
Steve Forbes was born with a fighter's heart. Born several months early and tipping the scales at a mere two pounds, the doctors told Steve's family that their baby would probably never survive. But for the first of many times, Steve Forbes beat the odds, and proved that "heart is everything".
Using his childhood as motivation, Steve entered the physically demanding and often dangerous sport of boxing. As an amateur, he compiled a record of 57-10 and was a five-time Washington and Oregon Golden Gloves Champion. By 1997, Forbes knew it was time to turn pro, so he moved to Las Vegas to further pursue his Championship dreams. Steve ran off fifteen consecutive wins to begin his career, before challenging and losing his first title shot for the IBA Lightweight Title.
On September 17, 2000, Forbes fought his way into the IBF's No.2 spot by capturing the United States Boxing Association (USBA) 130-pound title on a 12-round decision over David Santos. In his first title defense, Steve beat the then 22-7-0 John Brown; however, his inability to make the 130 pound weight limit caused the IBF to strip him of his title.
Considered by many to be the most talented boxer ever to enter the Contender Tournament, Steve Forbes was the fighter nobody wanted to face. In the opening round of the tournament, Steve showed everyone why he was the man to beat by earning a unanimous decision against Freddy Curiel ultimately becoming the first fighter to advance to the "fabulous four".
In front of more than 12,000 enthusiastic fans at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Steve Forbes entered the Contender Championship with redemption on his mind. Forbes and Grady Brewer went head to head for 10 rounds. After the final round, featuring a flurry of punches that brought the crowd to their feet, Brewer went onto be crowned the Contender Season 2 Champion by way of split decision.
Since the Contender Finale, Steve has returned to his ideal fighting weight of 140lbs. to re-establish his place in the junior welterweight division. On March 17th 2007, Steve took on USBA Champion Demetrius Hopkins in a 12 round battle. In the end, the judges gave Demetrius the win by unanimous decision which was met by both the crowd and press with much disbelief. Never detoured, Forbes handled the situation with pure professionalism and turned it into inspiration in his quest to become the best.
In October 2007, Forbes was matched against the younger Francisco Bojado for a bout set to go ten rounds. Each round would feature Bojado attacking Forbes from the start only to tire a short time later. On the other hand, Forbes remained consistent and was able to land many uppercuts eventually taking the fight by split decision.
See more on Oscar De La Hoya vs. Steve Forbes at the New York City Press Conference, go to; Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online at http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1
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©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
