[2] Just weeks before the fight, renowned trainer Emanuel Steward, who had trained De La Hoya for his two previous fights against Camacho and David Kamau was dismissed by De La Hoya's camp after it was deemed that Steward, who was simultaneously training WBC heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, was not spending as much time training De La Hoya for his fight against Rivera.

Instead, legendary 75-year old trainer Gil Clancy was brought out of a 20-year retirement and hired as Steward's replacement by De La Hoya.

Norris, a heavy 7–1 favorite, was reportedly set to drop down in weight to face De La Hoya the following year for a reported $4.5 million payday after his expected victory over Mullings and assuming De La Hoya would next defeat his mandatory challenger Patrick Charpentier.

[6] Though Rivera was a game opponent, De La Hoya controlled nearly the entire fight from the opening round.

Rivera was able to answer the referee's 10-count at five, but the gash above his right eye, which his corner had managed to close, was reopened and another cut was opened on his right cheek.