After Mike Tyson announced his return to boxing earlier this year, another world champion decided to follow his footsteps. Oscar De La Hoya, Olympic gold medalist and former lineal champion in three classes, told ESPN on Wednesday that he is ending his retirement and intends to fight again.

The 47-years-old De La Hoya had his last fight 12 years ago against Manny Pacquiao. Since then, he remained a prominent figure in boxing as a promotor, but that doesn’t seem enough for one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all time.

“The rumors are true, and I’m going to start sparring in the next few weeks,” said De La Hoya in a chat with ESPN.

According to De La Hoya, he isn’t interested in staging an exhibition fight like Tyson. Instead, he plans to have a “real fight” when he returns to the ring.

“It’s a real fight,– he added. “I miss being in the ring, I love boxing. Boxing is what gave me everything I have today, and I just miss it.”

As an amateur, Oscar De La Hoya had an unofficial 223-5 record while winning the gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, where he competed under the American flag. De La Hoya turned pro the same year and went on to compile 39-6 record with 30 knockouts.  Over the course of his career, he won 11 boxing titles in six different categories.

The post Former World Champ Oscar De La Hoya Announces return to the Ring appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After putting up a good performance against Floyd Mayweather and earning tons of money, Conor McGregor has sparked interest from other boxers as well. Now, Oscar De La Hoya said that he would be prepared to get out of the retirement to fight McGregor.

“I know I can take out Conor McGregor in two rounds. I’ll come back for that fight.” – said De La Hoya. “Two rounds. Just one more [fight]. I’m calling him out. Two rounds, that’s all I need. That’s all I’m going to say. You heard it on Golden Boy Radio. Two rounds, that’s all I need.“

Oscar De La Hoya retired in 2009 after 16 years of professional career. During that time, he won ten world titles in six different weight classes while also achieving lineal championships in three weight classes. During his amateur boxing career, De La Hoya won a lightweight gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

It would be certainly interesting to see 44-year old De La Hoya back in the ring. He teased about coming from the retirement for a few times now, but that never came to fruition. His physical condition obviously wouldn’t be an issue since De La Hoya said he has been training.

“You know I’m competitive. I still have it in me.” – De La Hoya explains. “I’ve been secretly training, secretly training. I’m faster than ever and stronger than ever.“

Now it remains to be seen if Conor McGregor would be up for this challenge. During the promotion of his documentary Conor McGregor: Notorious, McGregor said that he seeks the opportunity to fight in UFC for the interim lightweight belt, but that there are many boxing opponents he would consider. With Oscar De La Hoya’s interest in fighting him, we can safely say that McGregor isn’t lacking business offers for the future.

The post Oscar De La Hoya Interested in Fighting Conor McGregor appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After Mike Tyson announced his return to boxing earlier this year, another world champion decided to follow his footsteps. Oscar De La Hoya, Olympic gold medalist and former lineal champion in three classes, told ESPN on Wednesday that he is ending his retirement and intends to fight again.

The 47-years-old De La Hoya had his last fight 12 years ago against Manny Pacquiao. Since then, he remained a prominent figure in boxing as a promotor, but that doesn’t seem enough for one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all time.

“The rumors are true, and I’m going to start sparring in the next few weeks,” said De La Hoya in a chat with ESPN.

According to De La Hoya, he isn’t interested in staging an exhibition fight like Tyson. Instead, he plans to have a “real fight” when he returns to the ring.

“It’s a real fight,– he added. “I miss being in the ring, I love boxing. Boxing is what gave me everything I have today, and I just miss it.”

As an amateur, Oscar De La Hoya had an unofficial 223-5 record while winning the gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, where he competed under the American flag. De La Hoya turned pro the same year and went on to compile 39-6 record with 30 knockouts.  Over the course of his career, he won 11 boxing titles in six different categories.

The post Former World Champ Oscar De La Hoya Announces return to the Ring appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After putting up a good performance against Floyd Mayweather and earning tons of money, Conor McGregor has sparked interest from other boxers as well. Now, Oscar De La Hoya said that he would be prepared to get out of the retirement to fight McGregor.

“I know I can take out Conor McGregor in two rounds. I’ll come back for that fight.” – said De La Hoya. “Two rounds. Just one more [fight]. I’m calling him out. Two rounds, that’s all I need. That’s all I’m going to say. You heard it on Golden Boy Radio. Two rounds, that’s all I need.“

Oscar De La Hoya retired in 2009 after 16 years of professional career. During that time, he won ten world titles in six different weight classes while also achieving lineal championships in three weight classes. During his amateur boxing career, De La Hoya won a lightweight gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

It would be certainly interesting to see 44-year old De La Hoya back in the ring. He teased about coming from the retirement for a few times now, but that never came to fruition. His physical condition obviously wouldn’t be an issue since De La Hoya said he has been training.

“You know I’m competitive. I still have it in me.” – De La Hoya explains. “I’ve been secretly training, secretly training. I’m faster than ever and stronger than ever.“

Now it remains to be seen if Conor McGregor would be up for this challenge. During the promotion of his documentary Conor McGregor: Notorious, McGregor said that he seeks the opportunity to fight in UFC for the interim lightweight belt, but that there are many boxing opponents he would consider. With Oscar De La Hoya’s interest in fighting him, we can safely say that McGregor isn’t lacking business offers for the future.

The post Oscar De La Hoya Interested in Fighting Conor McGregor appeared first on SportzBonanza.