Quote Originally Posted by clean
Quote Originally Posted by MRMANICK
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxin...yweather_x.htm

Golden Boy return:

Don't be surprised if Oscar De La Hoya's return to the ring next month is a one-fight deal. The head of Golden Boy Promotions is preparing to challenge Ricardo Mayorga's WBC light middleweight title May 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and has made it clear that his reason for shedding the business suit is the opportunity to retire from the ring for good as a champion.

De La Hoya (37-4, 29 knockouts) didn't do that Sept. 8, 2004, when he was stopped on a ninth-round KO by then-middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins. He sees Mayorga (28-5-1, 23 KOs) as the credible, if not perfect, 154-pound foe that will allow him to leave the ring with his head held high. Mayorga, yes. But Mayweather? De La Hoya, who will be coming off a 11/2-year layoff, doubts he'd face the No. 1 fighter at this point in his career.

"I think I'm too smart for that," De La Hoya said. "Mayweather is a great fighter. He's young and hungry and is coming up and wanting to make a statement. I don't want to be the steppingstone to a young gun like Mayweather, even though deep down inside I tell myself every day I can beat this guy."

I never thought I would see the day but it looks to me like the golden boy has a little doubt in himself. Which is funny to me cause he risked his health to fight hopkins but now hes worried about mayweather. But i think its more the fact he doesn't wanna get embarrassed at this point in his career not that he will get beat down. What do you guys think?
It's not doubt, it's being smart. Unlike 99% of fighters out there who think they can still be on top after their best days are behind them (Holyfield), Oscar is smart enough to know his limitations. Both Oscar and Floyd know this isn't the Oscar of 6 or 7 years ago.
Yes it is doubt. I understand what you are trying to say but if thats the case then why fight at all. Your right he isn't the oscar of old old but obviously he thinks he is good enough to still be a champ so he fights a risky opponent in mayorga so why not fight pbf? Cause he is scared. Mayorga is a risk and oscar could be a potential stepping for him but oscar will take that fight cause hes pretty sure he can win. All I'm saying is oscar can fool the general public but not real fans if he doesn't wanna be a stepping stone for another fighter he should retire right now. He is fighting mayorga cause he knows he can win, he is not fighting pbf cause he knows he will lose. Your right it is smart but it also shows fear and doubt.