De La Hoya could be in Hatton’s future

Ricky Hatton would love to fight Oscar De La Hoya in 2009.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. isn't so sure that's a good idea.

Fresh off his demolition of Paulie Malignaggi last week with Mayweather in his corner as lead trainer, Hatton said he's intrigued with the idea of facing the Golden Boy, who will meet Manny Pacquiao on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden.

The problem is Hatton would have to move up to 147 pounds to fight De La Hoya, and that's not something Hatton wants to do. The other time he fought at 147, he was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in what was a one-sided fight.

Hatton has said he wants to stay at junior welterweight. The idea that De La Hoya would come down to 140 pounds is unlikely.

"I've said I'd never fight at 147 pounds again," he said. "But with Oscar, maybe."

Mayweather is not in favor of a Hatton-De La Hoya fight. Especially at 147.

"Would I like to see Ricky fight Oscar? Not really," he said. "But if it happens, it happens."

Mayweather would rather see Hatton fight Pacquiao.

"If we can do Pacquiao at 140, fine," he said.

Whoever Hatton fights next, Mayweather plans to be in Hatton's corner.

"He did some things good in the fight but there's some things he didn't do enough of," said Mayweather, who trained Hatton for seven weeks leading up to the Malignaggi fight. "There's some things he can brush up on. But Ricky's a good student. He wants to learn. He wants to get better.

"Whoever he fights, with me, he'd do good, really good."

* GIBSON FUNERAL -- A memorial service for Toby Gibson is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S Eastern Ave. Gibson, a referee in Nevada for 25 years, died Monday at his Las Vegas home. He was 61.

The service is open to the public.

Gibson is survived by his wife Barbara, a sister, Becky Gibson of Vienna, Ohio, and three children, Erica of Las Vegas, Chris of Vienna, Ohio, and Doug of Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Gibson's name to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, 1 Hall of Fame Drive, Canastota, N.Y, 13032.

* MARGARITO-MOSLEY -- It appears Andre Berto is out and Antonio Margarito is in for a Jan. 24 welterweight fight at Mandalay Bay with Shane Mosley.

Margarito was holding out for more money and it appears Top Rank is willing to pay him $2.5 million after Margarito reportedly turned down $2 million. He hasn't fought since his TKO win over Miguel Cotto July 26 at the MGM Grand.

Mosley will have a different trainer in his corner as he and his father, Jack, have once again split up. No word as to who would train Mosley for Margarito.

An official announcement is expected Saturday morning at the MGM Grand prior to the De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight.

* STAPLES STATUE -- Prior to his departure for Las Vegas for Saturday's fight, De La Hoya will be honored Monday with the unveiling of a 14-foot bronze statue of his likeness that will reside outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

De La Hoya joins sports stars Magic Johnson and Wayne Gretzky who have been similarly honored.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.