"People are saying why don't you have a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.? If it was in a phonebooth, I would."
GL:  It's been a while since we've had you on the record, Oscar. Big press conference for the big event on September 15, can we have some quick thoughts on that? "Absolutely, this goes back to the throwback days, when you had Julio Cesar Chavez fighting in the main event. From top to bottom, you had exciting fights. From when Felix Trinidad fought Yory Boy Campas, he wasn't even the main event back then. This is that type of event, where you have Juan Manuel Marquez, Jorge Barrios, Francisco Bojado, it's going to be a great fight against Steve Forbes. We've got Sergio Mora, the Latin Snake, fighting Kassim Ouma. It's going to be tremendous."Â
GL:Â It's a stacked event from top to bottom.ODLH:Â From top to bottom, it doesn't get any better than this.
GL:Â A really big event for the Mexican Independence holiday.ODLH:Â It's a big event for boxing in general.
GL: Every time Golden Boy does an event, it's big for boxing, Oscar. C'mon, don't be modest. We don't have much time, so we've got to get to the juicy stuff. When can we expect you back in the ring, and against who?ODLH: There are no decisions that I've made, so far, I haven't said yes or no. I really have to sit down with my wife, the ultimate person that I will get that answer from. She understands, she knows me. She not only unsderstands what I'm feeling emotionally, but also physically. She can see how I can perform inside that ring. So, we'll have to wait and see. There are rumblings about Ricky Hatton, there are rumblings about Miguel Cotto, there are rumblings about so many fighters out there. For instance, Floyd Mayweather. People are saying why don't you have a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.?  If it was in a phonebooth, I would.
GL: If it was in a phonebooth you would eh? Miguel Cotto wants Shane Mosley. I've talked to Richard a couple of times, he told me he and Arum were discussing that fight. Is there any update as it relates to a potential Cotto-Mosley fight?ODLH: Well, there's really no update. It's really up to the Mosley's, the Mosley's are the ones that are dictating that career. Sugar Shane Mosley is Sugar Shane Mosley. He's been in tremendous fights with me, tremendous fights with Winky Wright, he's been in million dollar PPV's. So, people have to wait and see. Miguel Cotto is a tremendous fighter, a tremendous athlete. He's represented by a great promoter in Bob Arum. I'm sure we will come to terms, if we want to make that fight, which I think the boxing fans would really love to watch.Â
GL: Your two fights with Shane Mosley were very close and competitive. You said you would only fight Mayweather again in a phonebooth. What makes you think that he would fight a different type of fight against Mosley than he did against you? What makes you think that Mosley will be able to catch up to him?ODLH: I think that Sugar Shane Mosley understands what it takes to win. I understand what it takes to win, but Sugar Shane Mosley is a different breed. He's like a chamillion, he's able to adjust, he has the speed, he's very powerful, and most importantly, he has a great chin. Sugar Shane Mosley against anybody, Miguel Cotto, against Floyd Mayweather, against any of the fighters out there.Â
GL: Does Mosley have a target date yet?ODLH: I believe we are looking for a November date for Shane Mosley, that he does have. It's just a matter of crossing the t's and dotting the i's.
GL: Which fights do they have to cross the t's and dot the i's for? Who seems to be the frontrunner for the November date? If you're fighting in November, there would have to be an announcement in the next two to three weeks, I imagine.ODLH: Correct, and we don't have a frontrunner for the date as of yet. We will know shortly, in a few days, we're going to be making the announcement.
GL: Will your next fight takes place on Cinco de Mayo of next year?ODLH: Yes, that is the target date. If I do decide to fight again, I am taking care of myself. I'm making sure that I stay in great shape. That day will be available to us.
GL:Â At 147 pounds, Oscar? ODLH:Â It's not difficult to make.
GL:Â Not at all?ODLH:Â No.
GL:Â That's where the action is, so you want to be there?ODLH:Â Yes.
GL: Anything in closing for the fans on BoxingTalk?ODLH: Thank you very much for listening to me. I just want to be in one of those classic fights. I want to be in one of those fights that people remember for a long time. The type of fights that are legendary, the type of fight that Diego Corrales put up against Castillo. I really want to be involved in one of those fights. There are still plenty of those fights out there for me. We'll have to wait and see who, when, and why, or even if I do fight again.
M
Send questions and comments to: gleon@boxingtalk.com