Forget about Mayweather-Cotto in 2008...

[SweetPea]

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/box...ory?id=3200384

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya, who shattered box office records when they met last spring, are close to finishing a deal for a rematch, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com Wednesday.

"We are still discussing things but we have almost finalized it," said Schaefer, who heads De La Hoya's promotional company. "I think an announcement will be forthcoming."

Schaefer said the fight would be Sept. 13 or Sept. 20 on HBO pay-per-view.

Not only are these guys fighting again, but they're going to fight so late in the year that it will be the only fight in 2008 for both of them. This is bad news, whether you are a Cotto fan, a Floyd fan, or just a boxing fan.

[CutMeMick]

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/box...ory?id=3200384

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya, who shattered box office records when they met last spring, are close to finishing a deal for a rematch, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com Wednesday.

"We are still discussing things but we have almost finalized it," said Schaefer, who heads De La Hoya's promotional company. "I think an announcement will be forthcoming."

Schaefer said the fight would be Sept. 13 or Sept. 20 on HBO pay-per-view.

Not only are these guys fighting again, but they're going to fight so late in the year that it will be the only fight in 2008 for both of them.

Wonder if it's gonna be at Dodger Stadium?

This is bad news, whether you are a Cotto fan, a Floyd fan, or just a boxing fan.

Well SweetPea I will say this.
It's bad news in the sense that we're gonna have to wait until 2009 BUUUUUUUT I'm happy cause the more the time passes the better the chances are for Cotto to beat PBF, IMO. People here say PBF can only beat himself, I agree with that.
But IMO the biggest "IT" factor that's against PBF is "TIME" the more the months go by and the less fighting hes doing will only hurt him in the long run.
So in retrospect it really isn't all that bad for me as I was hoping they wouldn't fight 'til 2009 cause that's when Cottos chances are better. Well better then fighting him this year since hes still fresh off the Hatton win.

[uptoscratch]

Not only are these guys fighting again, but they're going to fight so late in the year that it will be the only fight in 2008 for both of them. This is bad news, whether you are a Cotto fan, a Floyd fan, or just a boxing fan.

Yeah, this sucks, but it was inevitable. For this not to happen would be like Sly Stallone and Carl Weathers turning down Rocky II to go do Shakespeare in the park.

[Puya]

One thing is for sure. I will not spend a dime to see those 2 at it. and if it turns out a good fight FUCK IT I just watch the replay or download it from the secret place

[Lance Uppercut]

Dan Rafael of ESPN.COM, the most credible boxing reporter, is reporting that Floyd vs Oscar II is nearly a done deal:


The richest fight in boxing history is on the verge of getting a sequel.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya, who shattered box office records when they met last spring, are close to finishing a deal for a rematch, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com Wednesday.

"We are still discussing things but we have almost finalized it," said Schaefer, who heads De La Hoya's promotional company. "I think an announcement will be forthcoming."

Schaefer said the fight would be Sept. 13 or Sept. 20 on HBO pay-per-view. He said the site for Mayweather-De La Hoya II has not been settled but he is holding the September dates at the 27,000-seat Home Depot Center, the outdoor home to the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. He said other venues are also interested, including the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

A source also told ESPN.com Wednesday night that Dodger Stadium was interested in hosting the fight after L.A. native De La Hoya suggested he'd like to fight there before retiring.

Mayweather won a split decision to take De La Hoya's junior middleweight belt when they met May 5 at the MGM Grand.

The match between boxing's No. 1 fighter, Mayweather, and its greatest attraction, De La Hoya, was a success and, ultimately, a rematch was hard to pass up.

"Floyd is agreeable to do the fight and so is Oscar," Schaefer said. "Now it's just me working through everything."

Although De La Hoya has said he planned to return to the welterweight division and Mayweather is the welterweight world champion, Schaefer said the weight for a rematch hadn't been determined. He said it could be at a catch weight somewhere between the 147-pound welterweight division and 154-pound junior middleweight class.

"It's something we are discussing," he said.

Backed by five-months of promotion, which included an 11-city cross-country tour and HBO's reality series "De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7," the first fight broke boxing box office records including total gross ($165 million); pay-per-view subscriptions (2.4 million); pay-per-view gross ($134.4 million) and live gate ($18,419,200).

Although the fight was panned by many for a lack of action and the rematch probably won't approach the numbers of the original, it still figures to do well.

De La Hoya had planned to return to the ring May 3, but didn't have an opponent. The prospect of facing British star Ricky Hatton, his first choice, evaporated when Mayweather returned to welterweight and knocked Hatton out in the 10th round on Dec. 8.

Welterweight titleholder Miguel Cotto was a darkhorse candidate to fight De La Hoya. Cotto promoter Bob Arum acknowledged it was unlikely. He spent Wednesday in New York meeting with HBO executives about an alternative plan for Cotto, who probably will fight in April, possibly against first-season "Contender" star Alfonso Gomez.

Hatton's lopsided defeat left Mayweather as De La Hoya's most lucrative opponent. But instead of facing him on Cinco De Mayo weekend, the rematch will move to the fall because Mayweather is taking a break after a grueling 2007 inside and out of the ring.

Mayweather's fights with De La Hoya and Hatton were the biggest of the year and the promotions were exhausting. He also found mainstream recognition during his fall run on the popular reality series "Dancing with the Stars."

A rematch with De La Hoya (38-5, 30 KOs) would delay Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) jumping to mixed martial arts, which he has discussed with "Dancing with the Stars" pal and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who also owns his own MMA promotional company.

Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's adviser and close friend, was unavailable for comment.

With De La Hoya moving off May 3, it is possible that his friend and Golden Boy Promotions partner Shane Mosley could fight on the date instead.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.

[Irish Rover]

Nobody wants to see floyd and old man oscar go at it again just so they can add more millions to the pile


Disapointed in Floyd hear.

[Tins06]

I know alot people are gonna be unhappy with this..but me personally I'd love to see a rematch.

[albsur2006]

I wish ODLH would just F****** retire. If he didn't exist, I guarantee you Mayweather would be fighting Cotto next because that would be the biggest money fight available. ODLH is just holding back the boxing universe because he is still the biggest pay day. The money is so great fighting ODLH that you can't really fault anyone for wanting to fight him. F*** all the catch weight bullshit, ODLH held the welterweight division hostage with all his bullshit claims about coming down to 147, so he should come down. If I'm Mayweather, I'm telling ODLH "Look bitch, you're not making any type of crazy money without me, and I proved it with 2.4 Million PPVs, I beat you, I'm the champion, I'm the next biggest PPV star in boxing, I want 65/35, you're coming down to 147, I'm wearing whatever gloves I feel like wearing, and we're fighting in a huge ring." If Floyd takes 50/50 or let's ODLH get the lion share, he's an idiot.

But on a side note, I think that barring a defeat against ODLH and anyone defeating Cotto, Floyd will be fighting Cotto in the summer of 2009 at MSG. But I seriously think Floyd should also be worried about staying inactive for close to a year and fighting these old guys.

I CAN say that I'm already excited for this 24/7 PBF/ODLH II. I can just imagine Floyd having someone dressing up in women's clothing and sparring with him.

[Macho]

In my opinion ,if this fight comes this guys going put it down all the CREDIBILITY of boxing .... Why they dont fight with other CHAMPS or unify the title. I hearded lot of fanatic that the last fight of them was a crap of fight they didnt like it specially me either, i hope that they keep the ESSENCIAL of boxing.

[Spicoli]

Are we going the way of Glamore boxing now??Call me cynical but another "celebrity" big name money grab fight.So Floyd beats "I need to step the f!!! asside" Oscar.....even more clearly......SO WHAT!
And Oscar pulls off the upset,dont hold your breath.......oh goody a trilogy.Cintron,Cotto,Clottey,Margarito,etc.etc. must be delt with!

I think DeLaHypa is becoming a diva king in an ivory tower.Take your ego and stop insisting on bringing us backwards.

[Macho]

One thing is for sure. I will not spend a dime to see those 2 at it. and if it turns out a good fight F*** IT I just watch the replay or download it from the secret place

CC Im agree with you ,in my opinion they going put it down the CREDIBILITY of boxing.

[Spicoli]

Can you say conflict of interest? OUR interest.

I see them in a room rubbing there hands together laughing there ass's off.

[Pugilistic]

its a shame really. i was expecting mayweather to really step up this year and fight the best welters. looks like it ain't happening

[jambo54]

its a shame really. i was expecting mayweather to really step up this year and fight the best welters. looks like it ain't happening

i agree ds. this really is a shame. a good fight, yeah, but ignoring the 1000 pound gorilla when you're pfp#1 simply isnt fair to boxing.

[Deanrw]

I can just see Oscar's motivation for this. "Damn I had to pay Ricky big bucks last time, now I will have to pay Cotto next" ...light bulb flashes over his head Wait a minute, I will fight Floyd again instead! I am a superstar and I will pay myself whatever I want!! ...ding ding ding sound