Oscar De La Hoya made one thing clear Wednesday as he answered questions about his future as a boxer. He will not fight again this year.
But he was not ready to announce his retirement.
In a highly anticipated conference call, the multimillionaire who has been a champion in six weight classes from 130 to 160 pounds said he needed more time to decide whether he will retire or fight one more bout.
He said the only opponent he has in mind is Floyd Mayweather Jr., a consensus choice as boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighter.
“Making a quick decision was overwhelming for me,” said the 30-year-old De La Hoya, who has been one of boxing’s most consistent top attractions over the past decade.
De La Hoya, who won the World Boxing Council 154-pound title when he knocked out Ricardo Mayorga May 6, said weighing his options in time for a proposed Sept. 16 bout spoiled his enjoyment of the Mayorga victory and a subsequent island getaway vacation with his wife and baby.
“I’ve gone back and forth 30 or 40 times on my decision,” he said. “I need more time.”
Pressed about his decision, he conceded, “I’m leaning toward not retiring. This is what I love, and this sport drives me and keeps me alive.”
If he opts to fight next year, he insisted it would be his last bout win or lose. And whether he retires before or after that, he vowed not to “fall into the trap” of the many past fighters who could not stay retired.
“I’m only going to retire once,” he said, “and that’s it.”
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AP-NY-06-21-06 2056EDT
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