Oscar De La Hoya Eyeing Another Championship Run: “George Foreman Has Done It, Bernard Hopkins Has Done It, Maybe It’s My Time”

By: Hans Themistode

At first, Oscar De La Hoya was merely trying to get again into the ring and shake off the cobwebs. After spending 13 years on the sidelines, the 2014 Corridor of Famer was scheduled to finish his retirement with an exhibition showdown in opposition to former UFC gentle heavyweight titlist, Vitor Belfort.

But, after whipping his 48-year-old physique again into combating form, De La Hoya has opted to make a full-blown return. Now, the previous six-division world champion will take away the headgear and tackle Belfort in an eight-round sanctioned boxing match on September eleventh, at Staples Middle in Los Angeles California.

Whereas De La Hoya has expressed an unlimited quantity of hubris within the consequence of his matchup in opposition to Belfort, he finally believes that September eleventh will solely be the first step on his method to a world title reign.

“I imagine so,” mentioned De La Hoya to Struggle Hub TV when requested if he could make one other championship run. “The truth that George Foreman has finished it, the truth that Bernard Hopkins has finished it, perhaps it’s my time.”

On November fifth, 1994, Foreman grew to become the oldest heavyweight champion on the age of 45. He did so when he scored a deleterious one-punch knockout over 26-year-old Michael Moorer. In newer historical past, Bernard Hopkins one-upped Foreman.

In 2011, the newly inducted Corridor of Famer dethroned Jean Pascal to seize the WBC gentle heavyweight crown on the age of 46. Now, two years older than Hopkins was, De La Hoya believes he can do the identical.

Whereas he wouldn’t go so far as to say that he’s higher than he was earlier than, De La Hoya did admit that at this very second, he feels unbelievable.

“I really feel quick proper now, freaken lighting quick. I believe that with this psychological energy that I’ve now, with coaching smarter and my motivation simply in life usually. It’s a distinct route that I’m taking. This route is far simpler. Sure it’s strenuous, it’s onerous, it’s tough in your physique. It’s robust at 48 nevertheless it’s a lot simpler. Why didn’t I determine it out a very long time in the past?”