Oscar De La Hoya is still thinking about fighting Ricky Hatton in front of 100,000 screaming Brits at Wembley Stadium in 2009. He says the fight is one of his dreams. No longer going after the big fights in his respective weight class of 147, he appears to be targeting the big names from below. On December 6, De La Hoya will collide with WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao, who jumps two divisions to make the fight at 147.
Hatton would move up by seven-pounds to meet De La Hoya, also at 147. As stated in the past, De La Hoya, who also promotes Hatton under his Golden Boy Promotions banner, advised Hatton less than a year ago to never move back up to 147. At that time, he was speaking as Hatton's promoter, and not as a potential opponent. He told Ricky it wasn't a good idea to return to 147 after the beating he took from Floyd Mayweather Jr. Oscar actually said he wouldn't even take the fight in order to protect the fighter he promotes from injury.
"I'm a naturally bigger guy in a different weight class so I would rule it out [talking about a fight with Hatton]," De La Hoya said. "Ricky's doing a tremendous job at 140 pounds where he feels comfortable. Where he can do a lot of great things. I would rule it out. Ricky's fighting at 140. That's where he feels most comfortable and that's where he belongs. I wouldn't advise him to go up to 147. Those few pounds make a big difference."
The recession sure changes things. De La Hoya has actually spoken about moving down to 140, but I don't ever see that happening.
"It would be like a dream come true. Imagine me and Ricky Hatton at the Wembley. I would love it. It would be beautiful," De La Hoya told Sky Box Office.
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy - loves the idea.
"I think it would be the biggest fight of all time from Wembley Stadium, and that's what Golden Boy is all about. We want to break records, we want to create mega events. And that certainly would be a huge, huge promotion."
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