On Saturday, 18th September 1999, the highly anticipated showdown between two of the most talented welterweights of their time, Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya took place at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was promoted by Top Rank and was broadcasted on HBO Pay-per-view. Both fighters put their world welterweight titles on the line, with De La Hoya defending his WBC title for the 8th time and Trinidad defending his IBF title for the 15th time.
The high-stakes fight drew massive attention and generated 1.4 million pay-per-view buys, amounting to $71.4 million in pay-per-view revenue. Both fighters were handsomely rewarded for their efforts, with De La Hoya guaranteed $21 million and Trinidad $8.5 million. However, according to promoter Bob Arum, De La Hoya could potentially earn up to $7 million more and Trinidad up to $4 million more, depending on the continued strength of pay-per-view sales.
Throughout the 12-round bout, each fighter showcased their unique skill sets and styles. De La Hoya, known for his quick hands and smooth boxing technique, appeared to dominate the early rounds with ease. The Golden Boy's impressive performance seemed to indicate that he was on track to secure a victory over his Puerto Rican opponent.
However, as the fight progressed, De La Hoya's approach changed. Believing he had already won the contest, he began running from Trinidad, avoiding exchanges, and effectively giving away the last few rounds. This strategic mistake would ultimately prove costly for the American fighter.
At the end of the match, the judges rendered a majority decision in favor of Felix Trinidad. Glen Hamada scored the fight a draw at 114-114, while Bob Logist and Jerry Roth awarded the victory to Trinidad with scores of 115-114 and 115-113, respectively. Both fighters weighed in at exactly 147 lbs, but it was Trinidad who emerged as the unified WBC and IBF World Welterweight Champion.
