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OSCAR’S GOLDEN DECISION…STILL
TO COME
LOS ANGELES, June 22 – With pay-per-view deadlines for a September bout
approaching, ten-time world champion Oscar De La Hoya has decided to
postpone a decision regarding his future as an active fighter until a
later date.
'After endless hours of reflecting on my decision, I started to realize
more and more that I put myself on tremendous time pressure in order to
make the pay-per-view deadline for a September 16th fight.
But it’s too soon to make that decision, so I will continue to reflect
on this, and I think I deserve to make this decision without any outside
pressure.'
‘The Golden Boy’, who is coming off one of the most impressive victories
of his career - a sixth round stoppage of Ricardo Mayorga in May - made
the announcement this afternoon during a worldwide media teleconference
that was attended by a record 120 media members that included
representatives from Mexico, Japan, Europe, and the United States. But
despite rumors to the contrary, De La Hoya did not announce his
retirement from the ring after a stellar pro career that began in 1992.
'When I announce my retirement, it’s going to be definite…but it’s not
this day,' said De La Hoya. 'I’m only going to retire once, and that’s
it.'
Rumors of various injuries keeping De La Hoya from competing again were
also squashed during the teleconference.
'Injuries will not be a factor in what I decide to do and I will not be
making a decision because of injury,” he said. “I’m still training
every day - I could actually spar ten rounds tomorrow if I wanted to.'
De La Hoya did state that he will not fight again in 2006, but he
admitted that at the present time, 'I’m leaning towards fighting. This
is what I love, and this sport drives me and keeps me alive.'
If he does return, he would hope to be back in May of 2007 for one final
bout – against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
'There will be no fight in September – it’s too soon,' he said. 'But if
I come back for one more fight, it will be Floyd Mayweather Jr. That’s
the only name I can come up with to motivate me to train and prepare for
three months. That’s the only fight out there for me.'
source: press release |
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