By Miguel Rivera
At 44 years old and nine years since he retired from boxing after being stopped by Manny Pacquiao in December 2008, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya is very confident that he's physically capable to make a shocking return to the ring against UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
This past Monday, De La Hoya stunned everyone when he revealed that he's been secretly training for the last few months for a potential ring return - and he wants McGregor.
"All I need is two rounds - one to warm up and the other to knock McGregor out," De La Hoya said to ESPN Deportes.
De La Hoya, who won a gold medal in the Olympic Games of Barcelona in 1992 and also won eight world titles in six different weight divisions, is not hurting for money.
So that raises the question, is he serious about coming back to the ring?
"It's something I'm very serious about, I'm very serious. Nobody knows that I've already have four months of training and I feel better than ever, I feel very good, and if I can fight with McGregor then that's good. And if I don't [fight McGregor], then nothing would happen," De La Hoya said.
De La Hoya makes it clear that he won't chase McGregor for a fight. He put down the challenge and now the ball is in McGregor's court.
"There is nothing signed yet, there is no date. I simply told him - I challenge you ... and he has not answered yet, he has not responded and I will not chase him, because I don't need anything," De La Hoya revealed.
McGregor, a two division champion in the UFC, made his boxing debut back in August, when he stepped in the ring with five division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
After a rapid star, McGregor eventually faded and was stopped Mayweather in the tenth round of the contest.
2023-10-20 00:25:22
