/ 4 February 2004

De la Hoya ready to fight again

Oscar de la Hoya has a date to fight again. Now all he needs is an opponent.

De la Hoya said on Tuesday he will return to the ring June 5 for the first time since losing his 69.8kg title to Shane Mosley last September in Las Vegas.

In a statement released by his promotion company, Golden Boy Promotions, De la Hoya said he has not yet decided on an opponent for the fight.

”We have already discussed various possible opponents and will start serious negotiations in the coming weeks,” De la Hoya said.

De la Hoya has a number of possible opponents to pick from, though getting them to agree to his terms may prove to be difficult.

Mosley is fighting March 13 against Winky Wright and has already rejected an offer from De la Hoya because he would make less than the fighter he has beaten twice.

Felix Trinidad is an other possibility if he comes out of retirement as promoter Don King says he will, but that fight could also be difficult financially.

Even with his disputed loss to Mosley, De la Hoya is the biggest non-heavyweight attraction in boxing, and his last fight with Mosley earned him a reputed $21-million. — Sapa-AP