Los Angeles — The boxing schedule can change at a moment’s notice due to many factors. A fighter can get hurt. A manager or promoter might not like the proposed financial figures before a bout is finalized. Or the pound for pound king of the world could retire and his opponent, the most popular fighter in the United States, is left scrambling for a new challenger to make millions with on a hyped-up pay per view event. So is the crazy world of sanctioned violence.
When HBO presented Oscar De La Hoya against Steve Forbes on Championship Boxing this past May, it was clearly an in the ring tune-up fight for the Golden Boy and the advertising kick-off for a September rematch with Floyd Mayweather Junior.
Mayweather vs. De La Hoya I was one of the biggest financial successes in the history of boxing, not due to the in the ring action, but thanks to the incredible promotion behind the event. De La Hoya and his Golden Boy Promotions had decided to go back to the well against this year, but Mayweather left Oscar high and dry when he announced his retirement this past Friday.
The actual status of Mayweather’s retirement is neither here nor there as boxing continues and De La Hoya, who has two fights left in his career, needs an opponent for September. The chosen fighter must be able to assist in promoting the event, draw fans to Las Vegas for the fight, and aid in garnering pay per view purchases.
Richard Schaefer, CEO of the Los Angeles, California based Golden Boy Promotions recently told ESPN, ?Some time next week, I will announce a big fight for Oscar. There are different names out there…?
Boxing Confidential learned on Saturday afternoon that Sergio ?The Latin Snake? Mora was one of the fighters in the mix for a September showdown with De La Hoya, if he was successful in his bout with Vernon Forrest last night.
Successful he was and Mora now finds himself close to the fight of his life.
A multi-million payday is on the horizon, after many scoffed at ?The Latin Snake? for turning down a financially lucrative fight with Jermain Taylor a few years back. The critics figured Mora would never get close to a hefty payday again.
?Sergio’s promoter Jeff Wald has been contacted about the availability of Mora for a September fight with De La Hoya,? said a source very close to the situation.
Mora, who upset Forrest and took a majority decision while fighting at junior middleweight, would make perfect sense. While not a hardcore fight fan favorite due to his lack of power and primarily defensive style, Mora is known by the general American public due to his participation and victory on the first season of The Contender produced by Wald and broadcast on NBC.
Aside from his exposure via NBC, Mora speaks Spanish and would be media friendly to Latino outlets. He is well spoken and is solid in in front of a microphone. More importantly he could bring a very special story to a De La Hoya showdown.
Oscar has long been hailed as the pride of East Los Angeles, born and raised in Los Angeles’ gritty east side. Mora also hails from East Los Angeles, providing a potentially easy to sell marketing angle.
The Latin Snake vs. The Golden Boy ? The Battle For East Los Angeles.
It would not take a genius to make millions off of that promotion.
The world awaits for the Golden Boy to make his final decision this week.
Due to it being the weekend, neither Wald nor Schaefer were contacted for comment, but Boxing Confidential will be placing calls to both men on Monday.
