Ringside with Raymundo 06.18.08: What Will De La Hoya Do Now?

Posted by Raymundo Dioses on 06.18.2008

Raymundo examines the viable options for the Golden Boy now that Pretty Boy Floyd is out of the picture.

What will he do now?

In early 2008, Oscar De La Hoya addressed the media.

He stated that he would fight three more times at ‘hang them up' around Christmas time 2008.

He wished to fight on Cinco De Mayo weekend, a regular occurrence for the Mexican-American fighter.

He would then seek a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr., rated the pound for pound best boxer in the world who beat DLH the last time the Mexican holiday was celebrated.

The third fight would be a culmination of a career that began with a gold medal, spawned championships in six weight classes and catapulted him from a lanky kid from East Los Angeles to international superstar.

His first bout in his plan wasn't exactly spectacular, but was a good chance for his hometown of Los Angeles to see him fight live, and on Cinco De Mayo weekend, no less.

The Corona's flowed and the carne asada was cooked that weekend, when 20,000 plus were on hand at the Home Depot Center in Carson and millions at home tuned the channel to regular HBO instead of having to do the pesky chore of pressing purchase on their remote, spending $50 for pay-pre-view on what could be used for gas money.

A 12 round unanimous decision ensued, with De La Hoya beating Steve Forbes and at times showing a near perfect stiffing jab and slightly better than average offense. He also didn't tire in the late rounds, but few doubted he would.

One third of the master plan completed.

Then June 6, 2008 happened.

On that day, Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced his retirement via email to the press from his promotional company, Mayweather Promotions.

The fighter used a 5 paragraph message to relay that over the last few years it has been "extremely difficult for me to find the desire and joy to continue in the sport".

He also cited his upcoming bout with DLH, saying that he was sorry he had to leave the sport at this time, especially with "future multi-million dollar paydays ahead, including the one right around the corner."

The news shook the boxing world. It was immediately broadcast on ESPN's Friday Night Fights that same day.

It also shook the Golden Boy's world.

Negotiations began but soon floundered.

Reports came out that Ricky Hatton's camp would reject a bout with DLH, stating that there was not enough of time between Hatton's bouts. "The Hitman" fought last month against Juan Lazcano.

A bout with Manny Pacquiao is unlikely as well. He himself has a June 28th bout against David Diaz in the lightweight division, a jump in weight for Pacquiao from the super-flyweights. It would be asking a lot for "The Pacman" to jump up two weight divisions (to the welterweights) in the span of just three months.

How about a shot up in weight?

Not a chance.

De La Hoya told Yahoo! Boxing's Kevin Iole upon being questioned that he would not elect to fight WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik.

DLH stated, "He's too big. Kelly Pavlik is a big guy. I tried middleweight once and what I learned is I'm not a middleweight."

So who does that leave?

New WBC Super-Welterweight champion Sergio Mora.

The fellow Los Angeles native, (21-0-1 5 KO's) recently dethroned Vernon Forrest, becoming the first ‘Contender' TV star to gain a world championship.

He automatically called out De La Hoya, vying for the chance to be his next opponent.

While Mora may not be exactly who DLH had in mind, it's not a bad idea.

Mora holds the title "The Golden Boy" lost to Mayweather Jr. Cinco De Mayo last year.

Money?

Evidently, it's not on De La Hoya's mind.

DLH said this recently: "At this point I'll make my decision (on who to fight) boxing-wise."

"Money is all fine and dandy, of course, and I'd be a fool to say money isn't important. But at this point in my life, I can afford to make the decision for what I want. And I want the biggest fight and the biggest event. The money is going to be there no matter who I fight."

And its not like the fellow Los Angeles native is going to get jacked up on steroids and vow that he would "die in the ring before losing to De La Hoya", right? (I.E. Fernando Vargas)

So De La Hoya can still complete his masterplan. Two tune up bouts, (Steve Forbes, Serigo Mora) one of which for the WBC title he lost last year.

Then a Christmas showdown with either Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto for the WBA welterweight title, which if victorious could place him on the pound for pound best boxer list.

Two more fights: two more title bouts.

Sounds ‘Golden' to me.

[Ed. Note: Oscar has recently stated that he'll fight just once after scrapping his September bout. It's one and done for De La Hoya in December.]

The Mexican Stallion?

The Staples Center in Los Angeles, California announced recently it would be erecting a seven foot tall statute of Oscar De La Hoya, to be displayed alongside Magic Johnson's and Wayne Gretzsky's statutes just outside their arena.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaeffer reportedly broke the news to DLH himself, who was ecstatic at the gesture.


Stitches lead to world title shot

Brooklyn's Zab Judah was scheduled to fight fellow welterweight Shane Mosely in a non-title bout May 31, 2008.

Judah was injured prior to the fight, reportedly falling out of his shower at home and receiving fifty stitches to his right arm.

Set-back, right?

Not at all.

Judah will now face Joshua Clottey for Antonio Margarito's vacated IBF welterweight belt August 2nd at a site to be determined.

Margarito will be fighting Miguel Cotto July 26th for Cotto's WBA title.


Heavyweight "Nightmare"

Riverside California's Chris "The Nightmare" Arreola will put his undefeated status, (23-0 21 KO's) on the line against his stiffest competition to date on June 21st.

He faces Philadelphia's Chazz Witherspoon, himself an undefeated heavyweight at 23-0 with 15 KO's.

Arreola has made an impact in the heavyweight division already with his raw power giving him a high knockout ratio.

The Riverside native was rumored to fight David Tua, and should be on his way to a title bout if victorious Saturday night.

The main event of the night, which takes place in Memphis, Tennessee and is televised by HBO, features welterweight contender Andre Berto. Berto, (21-0 18 KO's) is a gem of the welterweight contenders.

He is a short, stocky compact fighter who has a physique similar to Joe Frazier. Berto is currently ranked No.1 contender by the WBC and could be in line to fight for Floyd Mayweather's recently vacated welterweight title due to sudden retirement.