Last week, MMA veteran Eddie Alvarez revealed that his handlers were approached to discuss the possibility of fighting former six division world champion Oscar De La Hoya.
De La Hoya, 48-years-old, retired from boxing after suffering a one-sided stoppage loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2008.
A few weeks ago, De La Hoya announced his return to the sport. He plans to fight in the month of July as part of a pay-per-view event being backed by the Triller app.
Alvarez, who previously competed in the UFC and is currently under contract with ONE Championship, has interest in the fight.
“Recently we’ve been hearing from Oscar De La Hoya’s guys. Look, I’m fixated on the ONE Championship belt. I’m laser, laser-focused on making history and getting my world title, but I feel like there’s going to be a lull. The champion (Christian Lee) is going to sit for a little bit. I think he’s having a baby,” Alvarez told ESPN.
“If that happens, Oscar De La Hoya and them guys have been reaching out and, hell, I’d love to get in there and mix it up with him. That would be a hell of a fight. I’ve got everybody here in Philadelphia backing me. The whole of Philadelphia boxing to back me up to get in there and mix it up with that guy. It would be a dream come true, and I actually think I’d do pretty damn good against him. So I’d be crazy excited about that if them guys figured that out.”
According to ONE Championship CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, a boxing match between De La Hoya and Alvarez is a "real possibility."
“There is a real possibility. Eddie and I spoke about it when he was in Singapore here. Oscar De La Hoya does want to fight Eddie Alvarez, and I think it would be a barnburner of a fight, and I told Eddie I was supportive. Of course, ONE Championship does have contractual rights, but I’m a big De La Hoya fan, and if he wants to slug it out with Eddie, I’m all for it,” Sityodtong said MMA Junkie.
