Gygax

From the New York Post...
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DE LA HOYA MAY FIGHT FLOYD JR.

By GEORGE WILLIS

November 30, 2005 -- LAS VEGAS — Oscar De La Hoya has opened the door to a potential showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. next September in what would be billed as the final fight of the Golden Boy's illustrious career.
De La Hoya, an Olympic gold medalist and six-time world champion, previously had said he never would fight Mayweather out of respect for Floyd Mayweather Sr., who has served as De La Hoya's trainer. But the fighter/promoter is being tempted by the thought of how much interest and money such a fight would generate.

"I have to admit that come September for my last fight, which will be billed as my retirement fight, Floyd Mayweather against myself at 147 [pounds] would be a huge, huge fight," De La Hoya told The Post.

"I never shy away from big challenges and big fights. I think it is a possibility or kind of becoming a possibility. I'm a guy who needs that challenge and I know that, at 147, it would be a hell of a fight. It would be one of the biggest ever."

Mayweather recently improved to 35-0 with his 24th knockout coming against Sharmba Mitchell. A title-holder at 130, 135 and 140 pounds, Mayweather has long sought a fight with De La Hoya (37-4, 29 KOs) and the dollars it would generate.

"It's the biggest money fight in boxing," Mayweather, 28, said. "I think we should make the fight happen with me and Oscar."

First things first. De La Hoya, who turns 33 in February, will end a 15-month layoff when he returns to the ring next May against either Ricardo Mayorga or Ike Quartey, who is on the undercard of Saturday's middleweight championship rematch between Jermain Taylor and Bernard Hopkins.

Negotiations are under way with Mayorga, but De La Hoya is interested to see Quartey's performance. They met in a memorable battle in 1999, when De La Hoya earned a split decision.

"You never know. I might say, 'Hey, Quartey looked great. Let's do it a second time,' " De La Hoya said. "I think people would love to see a second fight between us."

Mayweather, meanwhile, is hoping to face undisputed welterweight champ Zab Judah in March, but Judah must first defend his titles on Jan. 7 against Argentinean Carlos Manuel Baldomir.