Friday, January 10, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

CHANGES HIS MIND: De La Hoya adds May fight

Will meet Campas in tuneup for Mosley rematch

By ROYCE FEOUR
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Oscar De La Hoya will fight before September after all.

De La Hoya, the WBC and WBA super welterweight champion, will meet Yory Boy Campas on May 3 at Mandalay Bay, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Thursday.

De La Hoya, the biggest attraction in boxing below the heavyweight division, had said his only fight of the year would be Sept. 13 against Shane Mosley. Mosley took a decision over De La Hoya in 2000 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

"I am going to take a fight in May," De La Hoya said. "I actually just decided that (Thursday) morning. I do have a great win under my belt against (Fernando) Vargas in September (2002). I should keep that momentum going and keep myself in shape so I can shine against Mosley."

De La Hoya (35-2) stopped Vargas in the 11th round Sept. 14 at Mandalay Bay to add Vargas' WBA belt to his WBC title in the 154-pound division.

Arum said those in the De La Hoya camp, including trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Top Rank matchmaker Bruce Trampler, urged De La Hoya to take a fight before meeting Mosley. De La Hoya had not fought for almost 15 months before his win over Vargas.

"I think a year is too much to wait for a fight," De La Hoya said. "The focus would not be 100 percent if I stay out of the ring that long. I think I would lose that focus, lose that edge. I think that burning desire I have in my belly will be there bigger than ever."

Mosley, who is moving up to super welterweight, is to meet Raul Marquez on Feb. 8 at Mandalay Bay. Mosley is a solid favorite.

Arum said the May 3 card, to be distributed on HBO pay per view, also would match WBC featherweight champion Erik Morales and Bobby Boy Velardez.

Arum said he expects to add a third title bout.

"We are looking at this as part of a real Cinco de Mayo festival with bands, flags and all of that sort of stuff," Arum said. "It will blow out this town."

The promoter said tickets would range from $600 to $100.

De La Hoya said he would have at least three more fights extending into 2004.

"I am 29," he said. "I am heading to 30. I am very young. I feel great. I take care of myself. I am fighting twice this year. As long as my body and my mind have that desire, I will keep fighting."

De La Hoya said he had no plans for a rematch against Vargas.

"I think I proved my point, winning his (WBA) 154-pound title, knocking him out in the 11th round," De La Hoya said. "I think at this point in my career I can't afford to give rematches to anybody."

The veteran Campas, 31, is 80-5 in a 16-year professional career. A former IBF junior middleweight champion, Campas has won six of his last seven bouts.