2007年VOA标准英语-'Golden Boy', 'Pretty Boy' to Face Off in Las V

By David Byrd
Washington
02 May 2007

Two men who have reached the pinnacle¹ of their boxing careers - four-time champion Floyd Mayweather, Junior and six-time champion Oscar De la Hoya of the United States - meet in Las Vegas as De la Hoya defends his World Boxing Council junior middleweight (69.85 kilogram) title.  As VOA's David Byrd reports, the fight called "The World Awaits" is set to determine the best all-around fighter May 5.

Boxer2 Oscar De La Hoya acknowledges the crowd chanting his name as he arrives at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas 1 May 2007" hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070604/0913250.jpg" width="211" vspace="2" border="0" />

Boxer Oscar De La Hoya acknowledges the crowd chanting his name as he arrives at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, 01 May 2007

Oscar De La Hoya first came to prominence⁴ with his Olympic gold medal in Barcelona in 1992.  Since turning pro³ De la Hoya, 34, has 38 wins and four losses with 30 of his victories coming by knockout. He has earned the nickname "the golden boy" for his good looks, community service and positive attitude.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. lost a controversial semifinal bout⁵ in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and had to settle for a bronze medal.  He spent the first years of his career in De La Hoya's shadow, fighting less talented boxers⁶ before winning the World Boxing Council super featherweight title from Genaro Hernandez in 1998.  Mayweather's nickname is "Pretty Boy" because of his attractive face and physique.

De La Hoya has won a share of the world title in six weight classes. Mayweather has captured four different titles.  Mayweather is undefeated (37-0) with 24 knockouts.  De La Hoya, 34, is four years older than Mayweather.

As part of a pre-fight press tour, De La Hoya and Mayweather stopped here at Washington's Union Station.  The younger, flashier Mayweather said that he plans to prove that he is the best fighter in the world.

"May 5, I'm not going to rush," he said.  "I'm going to take my time, I'm going to go out there - and I am going to look you face to face when I say this - I'm going to take my time, I am going to go out there and I am going to give you a brutal⁷ beating; a brutal beating."

Oscar De La Hoya said at the same event that he is not intimidated⁸ by Mayweather.  The veteran said talk is cheap and he plans to make sure his opponent's undefeated record comes to an end.

"He can trash talk all he wants but come May 5, we will see who is going to be feeling all the pain.  He is undefeated.  He is a good fighter, but obviously everyone's '0' has got to go.  And May 5 your '0' is going to go,"  De La Hoya said. 

The bout at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino sold out in just three hours and established a live gate record of $19 million.  The fight is being offered in 176 countries on pay-per-view and is expected to be the most lucrative⁹ non-heavyweight bout ever.  It will also pay the fighters well.  De La Hoya expects to make $20 million while Mayweather is set to earn $12 million.

1 pinnacle   

n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰

参考例句：

• Now he is at the very pinnacle of his career.现在他正值事业中的顶峰时期。
• It represents the pinnacle of intellectual capability.它代表了智能的顶峰。

2 boxer   

n.制箱者，拳击手

参考例句：

• The boxer gave his opponent a punch on the nose.这个拳击手朝他对手的鼻子上猛击一拳。
• He moved lightly on his toes like a boxer.他像拳击手一样踮着脚轻盈移动。

3 pro   

n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者

参考例句：

• The two debating teams argued the question pro and con.辩论的两组从赞成与反对两方面辩这一问题。
• Are you pro or con nuclear disarmament?你是赞成还是反对核裁军？

4 prominence   

n.突出；显著；杰出；重要

参考例句：

• He came to prominence during the World Cup in Italy.他在意大利的世界杯赛中声名鹊起。
• This young fashion designer is rising to prominence.这位年轻的时装设计师的声望越来越高。

5 bout   

n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛

参考例句：

• I was suffering with a bout of nerves.我感到一阵紧张。
• That bout of pneumonia enfeebled her.那次肺炎的发作使她虚弱了。

6 boxers   

n.拳击短裤；（尤指职业）拳击手( boxer的名词复数 )；拳师狗

参考例句：

• The boxers were goaded on by the shrieking crowd. 拳击运动员听见观众的喊叫就来劲儿了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The boxers slugged it out to the finish. 两名拳击手最后决出了胜负。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 brutal   

adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的

参考例句：

• She has to face the brutal reality.她不得不去面对冷酷的现实。
• They're brutal people behind their civilised veneer.他们表面上温文有礼，骨子里却是野蛮残忍。

8 intimidated   

v.恐吓；威胁adj.害怕的；受到威胁的

参考例句：

• We try to make sure children don't feel intimidated on their first day at school. 我们努力确保孩子们在上学的第一天不胆怯。
• The thief intimidated the boy into not telling the police. 这个贼恫吓那男孩使他不敢向警察报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 lucrative   

adj.赚钱的，可获利的

参考例句：

• He decided to turn his hobby into a lucrative sideline.他决定把自己的爱好变成赚钱的副业。
• It was not a lucrative profession.那是一个没有多少油水的职业。