By Mark Vester

Rumors have been circulating in the media with regards to a search being conducted by Oscar De La Hoya to replace Floyd Mayweather, Sr. as his trainer for the May 5 showdown with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in Las Vegas.

In an interview with  USA Today, Debbie Caplan from Golden Boy Promotions denied that any efforts are underway to replace Mayweather, Sr. She said that no discussions have been held with any other trainer.

Mayweather, Sr. is looking for an increase in pay to train De la Hoya's for a bout with his son. The number he wants is still standing at $2 million dollars. Mayweather, Sr. said that De La Hoya usually pays him a six-figure sum, but in this case the financial stakes are much higher for the fighters on May 5, and the opponent is his son. If the event breaks the live gate record at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas of $16.8 million, and also comes close to the 1997 Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield pay-per-view record of 1.9 million buys, each fighter could stand to make in the area of $20-30 million.

Floyd Sr. told USA Today that he last met with De La Hoya in November. He said that De La Hoya has not gotten back to him with respect to his pay request for the Floyd Jr. bout, and it's getting near the point, in terms of time, where De La Hoya will have to "step up or step off."

"I told him my figure, and he said he'd get back with me," said Mayweather Sr. "I haven't heard from him yet, but soon it's going to be time to step up or step off. He was sensational in his last fight (with Ricardo Mayorga). He didn't start looking sensational until he got with me. I know my job too well, and I'm not stupid, either. I have the blueprint for this fight. What other coach is he going to find to beat little Floyd? But it's his money and his call.