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De La Hoya's exit prompts search

Norm Frauenheim
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 26, 2006 12:00 AM

Oscar De La Hoya's ongoing uncertainty about his future leaves him and his business in a curious spot. He's an emerging promoter in search of a star. Funny thing is, he might be the only real star still standing.

De La Hoya captured the public imagination with more than a powerful left. Without his celebrity over the past several years, the ring would have been an empty stage. It's theater that demands more than punches. For a while, Mike Tyson filled it. Before him, there was Sugar Ray Leonard. And before Leonard, there was Muhammad Ali. De La Hoya is just the latest. Look around, however, and there is fear that he might be the last.

The star search has begun, mostly because De La Hoya is in no hurry to decide on whether he'll retire to the promotional side of the ropes or fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a career finale next May. While De La Hoya deliberates, there is a rush to identify contenders for a void created in part by Bernard Hopkins' finale a couple of weeks ago in a victory over Antonio Tarver.

Any list of possibilities has to start with Mayweather. He has tried to take the outrageous out of his image with a marketing makeover. Personal polish was evident after his victory over Zab Judah. He was approachable and graceful.

Yet, there is lingering skepticism that the polish will wear off and reveal the real Mayweather, who has never been a big television draw. Besides, it doesn't look as if he is ready to move into the role. Otherwise, he, along with everyone else, would not still waiting on a decision from De La Hoya. The others:

� Jermain Taylor: The middleweight champ is a nice guy. But nice doesn't always mean box-office appeal. Antonio Margarito, who might finally get to fight Mayweather, is nice guy, too. But few seem to care. What's more, Taylor represents an uncertain commodity in the ring. He has battled and endured in his past three fights against two tough opponents with two decisions over Hopkins and a draw with Winky Wright. But debatable scoring in each only left a lot of questions.


� Manny Pacquiao: The 130-pound champion is loaded with friendly charisma and energy. There might not be a more entertaining fighter in the world today. He's a Filipino icon. But his popularity often seems to be trapped on islands that are his home.


� Marco Antonio Barrera: The smart, 130-pound Mexican, who works for De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, looked old in his past fight. He might soon be confronted with the same decision that confronts his boss.

Puerto Rican junior-welterweight Miguel Cotto, British junior-welterweight Ricky Hatton and Mexican flyweight Jorge Arce are among others who deserve a look. As a promoter, however, De La Hoya's search for another star might not go much further than the reflection in his mirror.