De La Hoya: I'm Training for Floyd Jr. NOW

De La Hoya speaks on Forbes fight! By FightFan.com Staff (23-Apr-2008) FightFan.com was on the line as Oscar De La Hoya spoke to the international media about his May 3 fight vs. 'Contender' star Steve Forbes. Also discussed is Oscar's proposed September rematch against Floyd Mayweather Jr.! Oscar De La Hoya: “I don’t feel it was ever a problem to fight without Floyd Sr. last year. When I called him a few months ago, it was like nothing had happened. We are both ready to work on the things that will get me back to the top. He and I have been talking about my last preformance (in the Mayweather Jr. fight) every day. We know there is a lot of room for improvement. I’m doing what’s best for me inside that ring. Everyone is always trying to get Floyd Sr. to discuss the family conflict, but we both realize that we don’t need to listen to that. All we need to do is work, which is what we’re here to do.” “I’m training for Floyd Mayweather Jr. now. I’m focused on Steve Forbes, but the ultimate goal is to beat Floyd Jr.” “In this training camp I feel I’ve learned to fight relaxed. When you fight tense, you get tired and can’t fight a full twelve rounds. It may come as a surprise to some people, but in this training camp I feel I’ve learned that. I am relaxing more in the ring and because of that I will be able to fight for a full twelve rounds. Floyd Sr. is always telling me to relax, and I’m doing that now.” “There’s a style change I’ll be bringing in to this fight. I can get up on my toes and jab. I can do all that stuff, I just haven’t been. This fight is going to benefit me a lot. With Stevie having a similar style to Floyd Jr, I can work on things. Forbes stays right in front of you and fight and I think this is going to be a very beneficial fight for me.” “I’ve learned from previous things like the Felix Sturm fight which I didn’t take seriously and didn’t train for. I felt flat in that fight and I didn’t feel like a winner after it. For him and for Steve Forbes, it’s the fight of their lives. I’ve got to be in shape and at this stage of my career I have to give 100%. This time around I have learned from what happened vs. Sturm and have trained very hard for Steve Forbes. I am ready for a big year in 2008.” “Steve Forbes is coming to fight. This is a dream for him and he’s going to be hungry. But I am looking to give the home town fans a memorable performance. I really feel that with Floyd Sr. in the gym with me that people have not seen the best of Oscar De La Hoya.” “I’m still fighting because I want to be at the top again, and I want to be champion again. I’ve solidified my legacy, but the passion and love I have for boxing keeps me fighting. I love fighting and I’m always looking for something that I haven’t done to challenge myself.”