Rivera Eyes De La Hoya Fight.

WORCESTER, Mass. World Boxing Association welterweight champion ‘El Gallo’ Jose Antonio Rivera’s (37-3-1, 24 KOs) is optimistic about the news that the ‘Golden Boy’ – Oscar De La Hoya – will soon return to the 147-pound welterweight division. Oscar’s been a great champion and class act for many years,” Rivera said from training camp. “I welcome him back to the welterweight division. He can only bring added credibility to an already strong division that also includes (Cory) Spinks, (Zab) Judah, (Antonio) Margarito, (Vernon) Forrest and so many other top fighters. When Oscar’s ready to challenge for a title belt at 147, I’d be more than willing to renew the Puerto Rican-Mexican rivalry that’s been so popular in boxing.” ome of boxing’s most memorable fights featuring Puerto Rican versus Mexican boxers, in addition to Tito Trinidad-De La Hoya, have been Wilfredo Gomez-Salvador Sanchez, Juan LaPorte-Julia Cesar Chavez, and Wilfredo Benetiz-Carlos Palomino. Rivera-De La Hoya sounds good to me,” Rivera added. “But first I’ve got to get ready for my mandatory defense against Thomas Damgaard.” The 31-year-old Rivera, who was married Nov. 20, has fully recovered from surgery to repair a tendon in his right thumb. He is in training for a return to the ring in early 2005.