Oscar De La Hoya seems to be serious about making a ring return although nothing has been finalized. Aware that he needs to broaden his list, a new name has been entered in the mix. And his name hardly comes as a surprise – Floyd Mayweather Jr.
For those who may not know, De La Hoya and Mayweather clashed in 2007. It was the third-highest pay-per-view buy rate in history. Mayweather won over De La Hoya via close split decision, easily establishing a plot to hold a rematch (even if both are retired).
“I’ve always prided myself on fighting the very best. And why go after the second-best [fighter]? Why not go after the guy that beat [Canelo]? Why not go after Mayweather, for instance, in a revenge fight? That’s something that is very intriguing. We’ll see how I feel and then we’ll take it from there," De La Hoya said on Fight Hub TV.
Aside from the 47-year-old, Mayweather also dealt former client Canelo Alvarez his first and only loss in 2013. Add those and there is a reason for a De La Hoya vs. Mayweather rematch to be considered. However, questions are in the air on the type of condition the former boxing champion is in.
De La Hoya retired in 2009, months after bowing to Manny Pacquiao. The corner of the now-boxing promoter sought an end to the fight in the 8th round. Pac-Man was leading in the scorecards in that fight that happened on Dec. 6, 2008.
As for Mayweather, he has been and out of the ring engaging in exhibition fights. He is scheduled to face YouTuber Logan Paul in February in a boxing exhibition match. The 43-year-old is a heavy favorite over the 25-year-old YouTuber.
Mayweather is the second fighter to be mentioned by De La Hoya, probably a saner one. Initially, he had Gennady Golovkin in mind, someone he believes he can take apart after proving that during his prime. Though already 38, not many feel that it would be wise for De La Hoya to try GGG.
Golovkin responded to that challenge and made it clear he won’t go easy on De La Hoya if it were to take place, Boxingscene reported.
"Everything involving Gennady Golovkin for him is a nightmare. He can say whatever. But let me put it this way--if I got an opportunity to legally kill a person in the ring, I might seize it," Golovkin said.
