Larios makes bold prediction

For former World Boxing Council (WBC) superbantamweight champion Oscar Larios, fighting Manny Pacquiao before his adoring hometown fans is more a motivation than a cause for concern.

"Let the Filipinos and the world build up Pacquiao," said Larios, quoted by Kevin Iole of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "It will only make my victory over him even bigger."

Larios, 29, is ruling out a Pacquiao victory as a possibility when they face off at the Araneta Coliseum this Sunday. In his mind, Pacquiao is doomed to defeat.

"I am finally fighting at a weight where I don’t have to starve myself," said Larios who is making his debut in the 130-pound division.

The Mexican, who worked with his father Teodoro in constructing homes before capturing the WBC crown, has predicted a win by knockout over Pacquiao. Iole described it as "bold talk," particularly as Larios has scored only one knockout in his last seven outings.

Larios is guaranteed a purse of $450,000 for the fight—the biggest in his career. But money isn’t Larios’ primary preoccupation. What he’s aiming to gain is worldwide recognition as a fighter of consequence. If he upsets Pacquiao, Larios will be in line for megabuck deals with Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, not to mention a rematch with the Filipino for a much bigger paycheck.

Larios’ advantage is in the conditioning department. He had a two-week headstart in preparing for the coming fight and isn’t as exposed to distractions as Pacquiao who is a celebrity all over the world. Besides, Larios claims he is always in tip-top shape and never takes a vacation from the gym. But Larios has neither the power nor the speed to scare Pacquiao who’s easily the hardest-hitting superfeatherweight in the fight game today. Pacquiao will answer the bell, ready and fully armed to give the hometown fans a treat. He won’t be denied his moment of glory.

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WBC superwelterweight titlist Oscar de la Hoya won’t be fighting again this year. Retirement is a tempting option but the Golden Boy is leaving the door open for a swan song against unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

De la Hoya, 33, came back from a 20-month layoff and a knockout loss to Bernard Hopkins to stop Ricardo Mayorga for the 154-pound crown last month. He was in a do-or-die mission and made sure to live another day.

De la Hoya has nothing left to prove as a fighter with a collection of at least 10 world titles of various categories and ring earnings of over $100 Million. His company Golden Boy Promotions is now a major player in the business, with 31 shows last year and a stable of crack fighters including Filipinos Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista and Z Gorres.

The 1992 Olympic gold medalist is happily married to second wife Millie Corretjer, a Puerto Rican pop singer, and his family is growing. He has three children, Jacob, 7, Atiana, 6, with his first wife and newly-born Oscar Gabriel.

When he finally hangs up his gloves, de la Hoya will likely do more singing. His first CD of Latin love songs was nominated for a Grammy. He has also developed a passion for golf.

De la Hoya was originally slated to take on Mayweather on Sept. 16 but the fight has been cancelled.

"There will be no fight in September–it’s too soon," said de la Hoya, quoted by USA Today’s Chuck Johnson. "But if I come back for one more fight, it will be Mayweather. That’s the only name I can come up with to motivate me to train and prepare for three months."

Although de la Hoya has put off negotiations for a Mayweather duel, it was reported that May 5 next year in Las Vegas will be reserved for what could be the richest non-heavyweight bout in history.

De la Hoya, whose record is 38-4, has lost only to Sugar Shane Mosley twice, Felix Trinidad and Hopkins.

In a story written by Al Bernstein for M Lifestyle Magazine, de la Hoya said he credits Golden Boy’s success to its management team.

"I put together a team that had nothing to do with boxing," he said. "Our CEO Richard Shaefer has a background in banking. So first, we built a top-notch business followed by the boxing. Secondly, this is a long-term commitment for me, so that helps."

De la Hoya said he organized Golden Boy to make a difference in boxing.

"It won’t happen in one year or maybe even five years but I’m in it for the long term," said de la Hoya. "We want to make sure that boxing is alive and grows. We want to get corporate America involved. There are so many opportunities and they are not really involved right now. But we have time to do it and we will."

Asked how he wants to be remembered by some young boxer in this era, de la Hoya replied:

"I would want that boxer to think what a class act I tried to be, both inside and outside the ring. This is a tough sport and you need to be tough to succeed but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a nice guy outside the ring. It ticks me off that fighters think they have to portray themselves so rough outside the ring. Let your actions in the ring be tough. I would want someone in 2025 to say that Oscar de la Hoya set a good example."