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Win, and Oscar De La Hoya will be criticized for fighting a smaller opponent. Lose ... well, let's not go there. The deck will be stacked against De La Hoya no matter how he fares against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.

Mention Youngstown and most Americans think of dilapidated buildings and a city that has seen better days. Kelly Pavlik is doing his part to give them something else to talk about.

For what Ricardo Mayorga lacks in jab, he more than makes up for it in gab. Don Stradley explores Mayorga's prowess for talking smack and his place among boxing's best trash talkers.

Don Stradley says "farewell" to Yankee Stadium by looking back at Jess Willard's heroic win over Floyd Johnson in 1923.

If John L. Sullivan could do anything better than fight, it was entertain a crowd. The Boston Strong Boy did both in a losing effort to James J. Corbett on Sept. 7, 1892. Don Stradley revisits the 19th-century megafight.

In a career that spanned 134 fights, Joey Giardello took on all comers -- and usually won. Don Stradley looks back on the career of the middleweight pug, who passed away on Sept. 4 at the age of 78.

From sharing a room in Rome with Muhammad Ali while capturing a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics to serving as the boxing commissioner of Massachusetts, there's very little Dr. Skeeter McClure hasn't seen -- or doesn't have an opinion about.

Forget the glossy record and the fact that he took to the sport in his 20s; Rocky Marciano secured his place in boxing history -- and in Massachusetts folklore -- with one perfectly timed right cross to Jersey Joe Walcott's chin, writes Don Stradley.

In his illustrious career, Willie Pep had 229 career wins, boxed 1,956 rounds and won the featherweight championship twice. Why, then, did Pep want to be remembered more than anything for winning a round -- without landing a punch?

Don Stadley takes a look at Art Shires, who was as handy with his fists as he was with a bat.

Southern California has seen its fair share of talented, charismatic lighter-weight fighters over the years. Sadly, it lost one of its most popular when Mando Ramos passed away Sunday at 59.

Harry Greb and Mickey Walker met in the ring on July 2, 1925. According to legend, 15 rounds wasn't enough to settle their differences. Don Stradley explores their supposed fight after the fight.

At the turn of the 20th century, Filipino martial arts were not just sports; they were techniques for survival. Three Americans, however, found a way to attract Filipino crowds by creating American-style Filipino boxers. The rest was history.

During the turn of the 19th century, Irish fighters epitomized the national struggle. Boxers were climbing into the ring in search of more than just titles: They were acting out their ability to absorb pain in order to triumph, writes Don Stradley.

He helped create the heyday of boxing in upstate New York and was idolized in his native Syracuse, even without ever winning a title. Don Stadley takes a look at the life of Joey DeJohn.

As "Friday Night Fights" hits the Boardwalk this week, Don Stradley takes a look at the rise and fall -- and rise again -- of Atlantic City.