The three big events this past weekend should set up an interesting fall season of fights -- I think. At the very least, the "Golden Era" has arrived in the welterweight division.

	Now that he's battered Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya can try out his punching power on the likes of Ike Quartey.

My first reaction to Oscar De La Hoya's TKO of Julio Cesar Chavez was, "Enjoy it, Oscar, you won't see Ike Quartey quit between rounds." Of course, I said the same thing about Chavez. I also thought the same thing about Genaro Hernandez. Oscar's fighting spirit makes fighters do funny things. Like opt to take the rest of the night off.

Hernandez was an unbeaten champion when he faced the Golden Boy. De La Hoya broke Hernandez's nose in the sixth round, and Hernandez decided not to come out for another round. This might fly in a four-rounder between guys with no championship aspirations, but in a title fight? Between two unbeaten champions? Where's the machismo?

Hernandez answered that one. One full year later, he was fouled by multiple-title holder Azumah Nelson. The referee told Hernandez if he was unable to continue he would be awarded a win in the bout. He refused to take the easy way out. He shook it off, continued the bout, and won an honorable split decision. Hernandez proved to be a warrior, but like Chavez, found it wiser to stay seated when facing De La Hoya. That loss remains Hernandez's only one.

In November, for the first time, De La Hoya will take on a full-sized welterweight in his prime. Boxing aficionado's wanted to see De La Hoya get in there with Quartey or Felix Trinidad (Imagine the "Oscar and Felix" Odd Couple posters -- an instant collectible). Quartey, with his power, makes for a more explosive matchup.

From Jesse James Leija to Chavez, De La Hoya has specialized in fighting undersized, or blown-up opponents. Quartey will be giving away three inches to De La Hoya, but he compensates with a muscled physique. With no more excuses, no more rematches, De La Hoya will be fighting the absolute toughest contender in his division. For that, we are thankful.

Nevada neurosis

I have to admit, I only saw several minutes of the Tyson hearing. I also have to admit, I'm glad I didn't waste my time doing so.

I understand the commission allowing the cameras. They wish to eliminate the image of the old boys club in the smoked-filled back room. Unfortunately for Tyson, that means he has to jump through hoops before a national audience. Of course, he should have done so only once. It was his fault he went through it in New Jersey, then again in Nevada.

I can't argue with the decision. An appointed psychiatrist can make a determination on his mental state, and then all can go through. His incident after a car accident shouldn't change anything, as far as the athletic commission is concerned. He is innocent until proven guilty. If he did indeed attack two middle-aged men, he will have to deal with a higher authority -- in Indiana.

He is, until next March, still under court supervision. Those charges could be a violation of his parole. That will be a bigger threat to his future than the Nevada commission.

Evander's plight

Admit it: It crossed your mind. The heavyweight champion of the world ... Vaughn Bean!

There were a few moments, where I had a flashback to George Foreman-Axel Schulz and the thought that someone unworthy of the title would win the legitimate crown. We've had plenty of pretenders -- Michael Dokes was described in news reports last week as a former heavyweight champion -- but this was for the actual recognized title, not some bogus, ancillary, alphabet belt.

We are reminded that Evander Holyfield, while still boxing's ultimate warrior, is an ordinary heavyweight champion. His wins over Mike Tyson vaulted him into a higher category, one in which he does not belong.

First of all, I was not among those to blast Bean after his loss to Michael Moorer. From all reports, if you didn't see the fight, you would've thought Moorer was humiliated by beating such a worthless lump. Not the case. Bean fought the same fight we saw this weekend against the current heavyweight champ. He is game and fairly talented, but not at the level of Ray Mercer and David Tua, let alone the man supposed to be the best fighter in the world.

Now to Evander, some revisionist rankings. Holyfield, while masterful in twice beating what's left of Tyson, is not on my list of the greatest heavyweights ever. He has lost twice to Riddick Bowe, and struggled against Bert Cooper, George Foreman, Alex Stewart, and now Vaughn Bean. His one win over Bowe was awesome, but it was also a close decision that many thought Bowe deserved.

I'm not knocking his willingness to fight. Holyfield has never thrown in the towel, like Chavez and Hernandez did against De La Hoya. The only way he gets stopped is when he's outpointed, or rendered unconscious (his face-first knockout loss in Holyfield-Bowe III is a loss anyone could be proud of).

We have, though, taken his wins over Tyson to be more than they are. That was not Iron Mike of the '80s. That was the one-dimensional slugger he has deteriorated into. Henry Akinwande is said to be next for Holyfield. Another not worthy of the crown, but another who is closer to it than most think.