By Mark Vester
Former six-division champion Oscar De La Hoya (38-5, 30KOs) has mapped out the final three fights of his career.
"I'm not retired and I believe that my body can still handle the big fights," De La Hoya said. "I want to fight three times next year, with two big fights in May and September. Then I think we'll be good for hanging up those gloves and calling it a career."
In a recent interview with BBC Sport, De La Hoya, 34, spoke about his return to the ring in 2008. De La Hoya would like to have a tuneup fight in the first quarter of the year, followed by two major pay-per-view bouts in May and September.
"I'm used to fighting once a year. I'm at the tail-end of my career but I feel that if I can have one tune-up fight first, get the ring-rust out of me, get into the rhythm of things, then I can have two other big fights in May and September," De La Hoya said.
And once again, De La Hoya said that he hopes Ricky Hatton defeats Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Dec. 8, so he can fight him in either May or September.
"Let's put it this way, I'm crossing my fingers for Hatton. It isn't out of the question that I'll meet Ricky Hatton next year. I believe that Ricky Hatton has a wonderful shot," De La Hoya said.
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