Kung muli mang lalaban si world six-division champion Oscar Dela Hoya, ito ay sa nakasanayan na niyang light middleweight division.
Inamin kahapon ni Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ng Golden Boy Promotions, na wala na sa kanyang dating pamatay na porma ang 35-anyos na si Dela Hoya.
Ito ay nakita mismo ni Schaefer nang matalo si Dela Hoya sa 30-anyos na si Filipino world four-division titlist Manny Pacquiao via eight-round TKO sa kanilang non-title welterweight fight noong Disyembre 6.
“We all know that Oscar is not in the prime of his career anymore,” ani Schaefer. “If he does fight again it’s going to be a higher weight so at least he can give himself a chance.”
Bago harapin si Pacquiao, natalo muna si Dela Hoya kay world five-division king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. bago umiskor ng isang unanimous decision kay Steve Forbes sa parehong light middleweight classes.
Hanggang sa ngayon ay wala pang official statement ang 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games gold medallist hinggil sa kanyang mga plano matapos matalo kay Pacquiao.
“I don’t try to tell Oscar what to do when it comes to his boxing career. He is weighing everything and trying to sort it all out. There’s no reason to rush this. He wants to make sure,” wika ni Schaefer kay Dela Hoya.
Kamakailan ay pinalutang ni Bob Arum ng Top Rank Promotions ang pangalan ng 22-anyos na light middleweight na si Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. para sa posibleng makasagupa ni Dela Hoya ngayong 2009.
“I don’t think we’re interested in doing that,” sagot ni Schaefer.
Kung papalubog na ang araw ni Dela Hoya, inaasahan namang patuloy na sisikat ang mga pangalan nina Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton at iba pa, ayon kay Schaefer.
“I think Manny has a chance,” ani Schaefer. “I know he’s from the Philippines but after this last fight he belongs to the world. You also have Ricky Hatton. A young heavyweight like David Haye could revitalize that division, and Chris Arreola is another heavy-weight, a Mexican-American with some personality. And then there’s Paul Williams. They don’t talk about him, but he’s exciting.” (Russell Cadayona)