27 years ago

Date: 18th January 1997

Venue: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

Title: WBC World Super-lightweight Title

Promoter: Top Rank

Tv: TVKO HBO Pay Per View

Oscar De La Hoya
( 22 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 140 lbs

Miguel Angel Gonzalez
( 41 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 140 lbs

On January 18th, 1997, The Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted the much-anticipated bout between unbeaten fighters Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Angel Gonzalez for the WBC World Super-lightweight Title. The fight was promoted by Top Rank and aired on HBO Closed Circuit. This was De La Hoya's first defense of his title, and he came into the fight with a record of 22-0.

Both fighters weighed in at 140 lbs, and referee Mills Lane oversaw the bout. De La Hoya started strong, landing quick combinations and moving fluidly around the ring. Gonzalez, who was previously unbeaten, struggled to keep up with De La Hoya's speed and accuracy in the early rounds.

In the seventh round, Gonzalez was deducted a point for hitting while holding behind the head, and he lost another point in the twelfth round for hitting on the break. Despite these setbacks, Gonzalez refused to give up and continued to fight back with strong combinations and hooks.

However, it was De La Hoya's night, and he dominated the fight, earning a unanimous decision victory. Judges Anek Hongtongkam, John Keane, and Bob Logist scored the fight 117-109, 117-110, and 117-111, respectively.