Oscar De La Hoya has categorically ruled out a shock fight with Ricky Hatton, insisting he is “f****** pissed off” with recent reports that both men were ready to share the same ring.
De La Hoya has not donned the gloves since he was destroyed by Manny Pacquiao in 2008, a fate also suffered by the now retired Hatton. However, a report in the Daily Mail recently claimed Hatton had been offered the fight, quoting Roberto Diaz, a matchmaker for De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.
The story has been picked up by other media outlets, notably those local to Hatton, despite the fact that the Briton is currently undergoing rehabilitation for depression and a drink problem.
However, ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael spoke to De La Hoya in Mexico City, and the winner of ten world titles flatly rejected claims that he would return to the ring.
“I’m f****** pissed off,” De La Hoya said. “Me fighting Ricky Hatton is a bunch of baloney. Not true, a million percent.
“They can pay me all the money they want in the world, but I’m not coming back for no money. I have no idea where that stuff comes from.
“They quoted Roberto Diaz, but we spoke to him and he said, ‘No, I didn’t say that’. I was shocked by it. I am a happily retired man.”
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who has been vocal about a future bout between Amir Khan and Floyd Mayweather Jnr, also calmed talk of a De La Hoya v Hatton encounter.
“There’s nothing to it,” said Schaefer. “Oscar was surprised by it and he wasn’t happy about it. There is no truth to the rumours. Oscar is not fighting Ricky Hatton or anyone else.”
