Style, timing a perfect combo

Undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. will have plenty at stake when he fights Oscar De La Hoya at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Not only will Mayweather risk his unofficial title as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer, he’ll also be fighting for his legacy, still a work in progress based on his lack of wins over big-name fighters.

There’s no bigger name in boxing than De La Hoya. He has been a household name since he won an Olympic gold medal in 1992 and has been involved in numerous big fights since he turned pro.

Mayweather, a former lightweight who agreed to fight De La Hoya at 154 pounds, understands his challenge. He’s facing a bigger man with an accurate and powerful punch. With one mistake, Mayweather knows that his unbeaten record could be in jeopardy.

That’s why De La Hoya should expect Mayweather to be on top of his game, featuring boxing skills more than showboating.

When it comes to beating an opponent to the punch and taking his will away, there’s no one better than Mayweather. He loves to attack from different angles, throw blows with either hand and switch from a variety of boxing styles.

* Early in his pro career, Mayweather twice fought Jose Luis Castillo and jabbed and danced his way to victories.

* Against Arturo Gatti two years ago, Mayweather stood toe-to-toe and defeated the veteran pugilist with a ugly beat-down, highlighted by several power-punch combinations.

* Last year, Mayweather was hurt early and then boxed his way to a win over Zab Judah featuring hard-hitting counterpunches.

If there has been a knock against Mayweather, it has been that although he throws a high number of punches from various angles, many of his blows are slaps. To support this theory, Mayweather’s critics point out that two of his three fights above 140 pounds have ended in decisions.

But Mayweather does have good punching power that’s enhanced by his accuracy and uncanny timing. That’s the key behind two of Mayweather’s trademark moves.

The first is a double right, which Mayweather snaps so quickly that his opponents are usually caught flat-footed. The second is a left jab to the stomach that’s followed with a left hook to the head.

In a recent sparring session for Saturday’s fight, De La Hoya suffered a bruise under his right eye when Shane Mosley imitated Mayweather’s double left and connected with the hook. If Mayweather is really successful with this combination, De La Hoya will be in big trouble.

Summary: In compiling a 37-0 record, Mayweather has displayed enough quickness and defensive skill to still come out on top even if De La Hoya turns to bully tactics to exploit a size advantage.

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* TOMORROW: HOW DE LA HOYA CAN WIN