A showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya has been knocked on the head – because De La Hoya insists he’s not stepping back in the ring.
“I’m happy, I’m retired, I’m content,” De La Hoya said. “I’m never comng back.”
On Wednesay, Mayweather suggested he was open to defending his 48-0 professional record against his former rival and the man he defeated after a controversial split-decision in 2007.
“Oscar – he’s coming back,” Mayweather said. “I mean, if he wants to, we can rock ‘n’ roll in the same gym … He said he wanted a rematch, so if Oscar wants it, he can get it.”
But the 42-year-old De La Hoya posted a video on Instagram on Thursday to nip that notion in the bud. “Our first fight had a rematch clause – [but] it had to take place within the year, and he retired a year and one day, [after]” De La Hoya said. “Look, I’m retired, I’m happy, I’m content. I’m never coming back.”
De La Hoya had teased fans in a radio interview earlier this month, in which he suggested a comeback was on the cards. “There’s not one day that passes by that I [don’t] think about making a comeback. If I did make a comeback, I’d want to fight the very best,” he said. Did that mean Mayweather?
Mayweather triumphed in the pair’s only fight, winning a split decision victory after a closely fought 12 rounds for the WBC light middleweight championship in May 2007. At the time, the bout was the most lucrative boxing match ever, with over $130m generated in revenue, and tickets for the bout went within three hours of going on sale.
The pair continued to trade barbs after De La Hoya retired. After Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao in May in a fight that lacked vim and vigour, but which the American won on points, De La Hoya said: “Call me old school, but I like the fans getting their money’s worth by watching an action-packed fight.”
De la Hoya won 10 world titles in six different weight titles and finished his career with a 39-6 record, including 30 total knockouts, but his last professional fight ended in defeat against Pacquaio.
Mayweather, 38, has one fight remaining on his Showtime contract and has suggested several times that he intends to retire after a final fight in September. He was dismissive of the undefeated Gennady Golovkin, who has been touted as a possible opponent.
“He can’t beat me,” Mayweather said of the 33-year-old Kazakh. “I thought he was straight up and down. No special effects. He can punch, but I seen him in his last fight [against Willie Monroe]. I don’t even know who that guy was. If I worked with the guy, the guy would have beaten him.
“It’s my dream fight. Of course I’d beat him.”
