EDITOR'S NOTE:  Shortly after Oscar De La Hoya made his comments to the press, the WBC announced in Mexico that Saul Alvarez-Matthew Hatton has been approved for the the vacant junior middleweight title. WBC President Jose Sulaiman called Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer with confirmation of the sanction.

By Mark Vester

Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya has denied widespread reports that Saul Alvarez-Matthew Hatton was sanctioned for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title. Last week, De La Hoya submitted a request to the WBC to have the sanctioning body vacant title at stake in the upcoming fight, which is scheduled for March 5 in California, but the WBC has yet to render a decision.

"We have not received a response from the WBC. We have no idea what's going to happen. Hopefully we will get some news shortly about whether the fight will be for the title or not," De La Hoya said.