De La Hoya: I had injuries coming into Mayweather fight

In this must read exclusive interview that can only be found on Boxingtalk.com, future hall of famer Oscar De La Hoya answers all of the questions boxing fans deserve answers to. Everything from his future plans to the possibility of a Mayweather rematch, to possibly working with Bob Arum again.  What kind of injuries did Oscar say he went into the May 5 mega fight? All these answers and more are just a click away. You definitely don't want to miss what the Golden Boy had to say.

GL: This truly is a Golden Exclusive. You haven't come on the record for quite some time and as usual, you're breaking your silence on BoxingTalk, so I appreciate it. How have things been going since the record breaking May 5 fight with Floyd Mayweather and will there be a rematch? "I feel great. Obviously the fans are very disappointed, from what they tell me at Mayweather's performance because he didn't engage to fight me the way he said he was. Going into this fight I knew he was going to fight his style instead of going toe to toe. When he kept on telling the public that he was going to give the fans their monies worth and make it an exciting fight, he should have done that. These are the kind of comments I've been receiving. Along with, 'you deserved the fight' and things like that. Things have been really positive for me, as usual?

GL: Do you think there is a need for a rematch?

ODLH: "Obviously, with me being competitive, I would love some sort of rematch. That's just the athlete in me, but then you think about how he's going to do the same thing. He's going to go out there and box and not get hit and make it a non-interesting fight, trying to steal the fight away and that's not what the public wants to watch."

GL: You can't put a toe to toe clause in the contract?

ODLH: "There's nothing wrong with not going toe to toe, but don't tell the public you're going to do it for three months and then end up not doing that."

GL: At the end of the day does that mean you're not interested in the rematch?

ODLH: "I'll tell you one thing, I'm more interested in a Mosley-Mayweather fight. I'll you the truth, Mosley can beat him and from his experience Mosley will have no problem with Floyd if they ever fight."

GL: When can we expect you to return to the ring?

ODLH: "I haven't even decided yet. I'm just now full speed ahead working on promotions and other businesses outside of boxing. I really haven't given it a thought,  but I'm keeping myself in shape."

GL: Is retirement not an option?

ODLH: "No retirement is not an option. Not at this point. For the first time I was extremely disappointed that I came out with no bruises on my face after a fight.

GL: Are you looking to make sure your next few fights will be wars?

ODLH: "That's what the public wants to watch and what we're there to do is engage. I kept on going forward and kept pressing the action because I wanted to fight. If you know this is going to be the last fight of your professional career, why not go out with a bang?"

GL: Mayweather has said that if he doesn't fight you he's staying retired. I guess he's going to stay retired for a while longer?

ODLH: "If that's his thinking then a legend he will never be. The reason why I say that, other than myself what other hall of fame fighter has he fought? I go back to Mosley because with me training with Mosley because he did me the favor of helping me out, and me being in there with Floyd, I know for a fact Mosley can beat him. (Editors Note: Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo definitely, Arturo Gatti maybe)

GL: If Mayweather-Mosley gets done it would have to be under Floyd's terms. If Shane was unwilling to accept a fight for 50-50, can that deal truly get done now according to Mayweather's terms?

ODLH: "There's enough money in the pot for everyone to be happy. Can the fight be done? Absolutely. Floyd knows that we know how to promote and Mosley will promote this fight like there's no tomorrow. I truly feel deep down inside and it's no disrespect to Floyd Mayweather because I've always respected him as an athlete, but Shane Mosley will beat Floyd Mayweather. It's because of experience and I say this because I've been in there with both."

GL: If not Mayweather, who are you looking to fight?

ODLH: "
 
GL: If it's not Mayweather what's going to be next for Sugar Shane Mosley?

ODLH: "Mosley is willing to fight anybody and we're going to sit down with Mosley very soon and discuss those options with him. Ultimately, if you want to be the best you have to keep on fighting the best and that's the best fight out there for both of them.


GL: Can you give us some thoughts on the July 21 showdown between future hall of famers Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright?

ODLH: "I'm extremely excited about Bernard Hopkins proving to everyone why he's the best. I think several people have mentioned that you have Winky Wright who Hopkins calls the turtle and he's going to fight defensively and then you have Hopkins who will start off slow. But I don't think that is going to be the case and I'll tell you why, Bernard Hopkins has nothing to prove, but he wants to be the first guy to knock Winky Wright out and Winky Wright wants to be the first guy to stop Hopkins. Will it be an exciting, interesting fight? Absolutely.

GL: Juan Manuel Marquez returns on September 15 against Jorge Barrios. How do you feel about card and was he the first choice of opponent for Marquez?

ODLH: "There will be four fights on that card and I really can't mention the other fighters yet, but this is going to be an unbelievable card from top to bottom."

GL: I know Katsidis will be fighting on July 21. Do you know who might be appearing on the undercards of July 21 and September 15?

ODLH: "We are having Katsidis on there on July 21. We also do have Oscar Larios vs. Jorge Linares for the WBC featherweight title and we're still finalizing the fourth fight. It's too early for the fights on the 15th of September, but obviously everyone wants to be on that card because it's a big weekend. Believe me when I tell you it's going to be action packed from head to toe."

GL: Marco Antonio Barrera's advisor informed Boxingtalk that Marco has one fight left with Golden Boy. Are you confident Marco will stay with GBP beyond that?

ODLH: "Absolutely. We actually have two fights left with Barrera and we're very confident. Obviously we'll promote his next two fights because that's what the contract states."

GL: when can we expect him to return to the ring?

ODLH: "We'll be talking with Barrera in the near future and discuss his plans on coming back. We don't have an exact date for him yet, but with Barrera he wants to fight the best and that's what we're going to discuss with him.

GL: Will Freddie Roach continue to train you?

ODLH: "Freddie Roach is a great trainer let me tell you. The reason I didn't listen to what he was telling me in my corner was because I couldn't do what he was telling me to do. I think I have a few too many miles on this motor and injuries kept me from doing what I really wanted to do and therefore, that's why I stopped using my jab. Bu that's a whole different story, but Freddie Roach is a great, great trainer."

GL: That's a whole differnt story. Tell us about these injuries.

ODLH: "I don't think people really know. It's no secret that I have two torn rotator cuffs on my left and my right shoulder. That should be no secret. I have arthritis on both my left and right elbows. My hand didn't give me any problem, which was great, but there were several little things that prevented me from performing at the highest level and I felt that disappointment after the fight."

GL: Back to the question before that, will Freddie Roach continue to train you?

ODLH: "Freddie Roach, when I do fight, yes he will train me. If he accepts it."

GL: If he doesn't, I'll accept it.

ODLH: (laughs)

You don't want to miss what else the biggest name in boxing had to say in Part II of the exclusive interview

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