By Mark Vester

The anticipation will soon come to an end. According to a source within Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya will not announce his next opponent until the second week of January at the earliest. The return is slated for May 3, with two likely opponents, at the moment, are WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (31-0, 25KOs) and Ricky Hatton (43-1, 31KOs).

Originally, De La Hoya had expected to announce his next opponent before the start of the New Year, but a few more weeks are needed. He was hoping for Ricky Hatton to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. on December 8. Hatton was knocked out in ten, but De La Hoya felt that Manchester fighter fought well enough to still consider him as a potential opponent.

De La Hoya is currently enjoying the holidays in Puerto Rico with his family. Endi reports De La Hoya will soon be heading to California to initiate the media blitz for the March 15 pay-per-view rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com