De La Hoya, who hasn't fought since being knocked out by Bernard Hopkins 13 months ago, is still the WBC's top-rated super welterweight contender. But he is spending more and more time with his Golden Boy Promotions, with Hopkins now a partner.
The 32-year-old boxer told reporters he'd like to fight Ricardo Mayorga, champion of the WBC 154-pound class, this summer — but at 147 pounds as a welterweight. That's a division in which De La Hoya (37-4) hasn't had a fight since 2001.
He said his pride was at stake in his plans to return to the ring.
"It's the way I went out in my last fight," De La Hoya said. "I know he was a bigger guy, but I just have to go out a winner. And prove to prove to myself I have what it takes to come out of this game as a champion. That's what I have to prove to myself."
In the meantime, Golden Boy Promotions is doing a good business.
The fight card Saturday night at Desert Diamond Casino — the last of eight De La Hoya has promoted at the casino south of Tucson — is billed as the "Boxing World Cup" because it pits some of Mexico's best lower-weight fighters against those from Thailand.
Four WBO title fights are scheduled and will be aired on HBO Latino.
The card includes Fernando Montiel defending his junior bantamweight (115 pounds) crown against Thai challenger Pramuansak Phosawan, and Hugo Cazares making a flyweight (108) defense against Kaichon Sor Vorapin.
Thai champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin will face Jhonny Gonzalez in defense of his bantamweight (118) title, and Hugo Cazares of Mexico and Thailand's Sod Looknongyangtov will fight for the vacant WBO junior featherweight (122) title.
De La Hoya said he and casino officials were close to finalizing their second contract to promote fights throughout 2006.
"This is fun; I enjoy it," De La Hoya said of being a promoter. "The only downfall is that it's really difficult to work with other promoters."
He said there is a lot that goes behind the scenes.
"I want to change the way boxing is structured," De La Hoya said. "There is no structure."
When asked promoting vs. boxing, De La Hoya quipped, "I'd rather be in the ring because if someone hits me I can hit them back."
