Ricardo Mayorga managed to irritate the normally unflappable Oscar De La Hoya during a promotional tour in February, at one point causing a scuffle between the men.

Now, as Mayorga prepares to defend his super welterweight title against De La Hoya on May 6 at the MGM Grand Garden in what is billed as the penultimate fight of De La Hoya's brilliant career, Mayorga is increasing the verbal pressure.

Mayorga and trainer Stacy McKinley have ridiculed De La Hoya repeatedly and predicted a knockout victory.

"I have been sparring with live chickens, as they emulate 'Chicken' De La Hoya best," Mayorga said last week. "They run just like he does. Most people don't understand that, of all the fighters in boxing, Oscar is the one I like least. He's a pretty boy."

De La Hoya has been outraged by Mayorga's antics and hasn't attempted to hide his bitterness.

In an un-De La Hoya-like move, he predicted a knockout himself.

"If Ricardo Mayorga is training with chickens, then he is in big trouble because this fight is no joke," De La Hoya said. "I am very serious, and for all the remarks Mayorga has made about my family, my wife, my heritage and slapping me on the back of my head when I wasn't looking (during the scuffle), he's going to pay.

"I am not much of a talker outside of the ring. I am going to do my talking inside the ring on May 6, and he is going to get what he deserves for what he's said."

• OFFICIALS NAMED -- The Nevada Athletic Commission appointed Jay Nady to referee the Mayorga-De La Hoya fight.

Las Vegans Duane Ford and Paul Smith and Guido Cavalieri of Italy were named the judges.

• NEW CORNER -- Middleweight champion Jermain Taylor, who defends his title June 17 in Memphis, Tenn., against top-rated Winky Wright, has a new addition to his corner.

Taylor has hired Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward to help prepare him for what is expected to be his biggest test.

Taylor's corner includes Ozell Nelson, who introduced Taylor to boxing, and former U.S. Olympic coach Pat Burns.

Taylor is relocating his training camp to Detroit, where Steward lives, so they can work together more easily.

• ANOTHER HIRE -- Jeff Mayweather, the uncle of pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr., has landed a new job.

He was hired to train heavyweight Shannon Briggs (46-4-1, 40 knockouts), who is in the midst of a comeback and hoping to get another shot at the title.

Jeff Mayweather is training Zahir Raheem for his lightweight title challenge Saturday against Acelino Freitas.

Like most of the Mayweathers, Jeff Mayweather was an excellent defensive boxer, which he said is his point of emphasis with Briggs.

"As a fighter, I lacked punching power," he said. "That was my downfall. I knew I was going the distance in every fight I was in, so I wanted to get in there and make you look stupid and miss. I've got Shannon tightening up his defense. I'm trying to add to what he has and take away some of the reasons why he hasn't been able to get to the championship yet."

Briggs, who won a controversial decision over former heavyweight champion George Foreman in what turned out to be the final fight of Foreman's career, said he is comfortable with Mayweather.

"I've already learned some things and I feel great mentally about working with him," Briggs said. "I've been tightening up my defense and working on countering off my blocks -- really sneaky, crafty stuff that, with my ability, will take me to another level."

• WRONG GUY -- Luis Collazo, who has a welterweight title, will defend his belt against Ricky Hatton, the 2005 Fighter of the Year, on May 13 in Mashantucket, Conn.

Collazo said Hatton, who abandoned a super lightweight belt to move up to welterweight to meet Collazo, made a mistake by choosing to fight him.

"They picked the wrong guy," said Collazo (26-1, 12 KOs). "I'm a slick southpaw. Styles make fights. I'm the exact wrong style for Hatton."

Collazo, who won the title by defeating Jose Rivera, then was impressive against Miguel Angel Gonzalez in his first defense, said he would duke it out with Hatton if that's what it takes to win.

"Don't be fooled by my innocent face," Collazo said. "I'm a different guy in the ring. He likes to come (after an opponent). I like to come, too. I can go either way. If he wants to box, I can box. If he wants to bang, we'll bang."

• SLY TO BE HONORED -- Actor Sylvester Stallone, the creator and star of the "Rocky!" movies, will be given a lifetime cinematic achievement in boxing award by the Boxing Writers Association of America at its annual dinner May 5 at Mandalay Bay.

Stallone, who will be present to accept his award, will be given a specially commissioned piece from renowned Philadelphia sculptor Carl LeVotch.

• ROY IS BACK -- Attorney Jim Thomas, who for years guided former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield's career, is now advising ex-champion Roy Jones Jr.

Thomas said Jones will fight in the summer against Prince Badi Ajamu, then hopefully take a step up in competition later in the year.

Thomas said Jones has patched up differences with HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg, who fired him as an analyst this year because Jones refused to attend production meetings.

Thomas said one of his goals is to ensure Jones relates better with the media than he has in the past.