Former ten time and six division world champion, Golden Boy Promotions CEO, Oscar De La Hoya of East L.A. wrapped up a three city press tour Wednesday evening for the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Amir “King” Khan as they made stops in London, New York and Los Angeles to promote the May 7 showdown taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on HBO Pay per View. Fightnews.com spoke with the “Golden Boy” as he talked about the press tour, Canelo Khan, Donald Trump, and what’s in store for Golden Boy Promotions in 2016.
“The tour has been amazing and incredible. The response we had in London , New York , and L.A was special,” De La Hoya told Southern California Boxing.com
Canelo Khan will be taking place on Cinco de Mayo weekend. A Mexican holiday, commemorating Mexico’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla. It has been a tradition in boxing for the last two decades to host major fights on that weekend which began with Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez and followed with Oscar, now Canelo.
“You have the most popular fighter in Mexico and you have the best fighter in England going at it on Cinco de Mayo weekend,” De La Hoya said. “It’s been a tradition beginning with Julio Cesar Chavez and my self, now Canelo to fight on those Mexican holiday weekends. It’s a special weekend,” De La Hoya added.
The event will mark the first ever boxing event at the new T-Mobile Arena. MGM Grand hosted its first ever boxing event in January of 1994 as Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez lost a decision to unknown Frankie Randall. De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad held the first ever boxing event at the Mandalay Bay in September of 1999. Canelo Khan will look to make its part in the history of the T-Mobile Arena.
“You have the new T-Mobile Arena in Vegas and we already put the order to bring extra Tecate beer,” De La Hoya said. “It’s right in the heart of Vegas and people are excited to see what it’s all about. We are really proud to have Canelo Khan host the first fight,” De La Hoya added.
Oscar gave us his thoughts on the match-up as many in the boxing world are already crying mismatch.
“We feel this is going to be a good event when has Khan been in a dual fight? Khan is a warrior,” De La Hoya said. “This is not a mismatch Amir Khan is taller than Canelo. He is thicker and Canelo has too has to be on his A game,” De La Hoya added.
When De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao was finalized back in 2008 many fans including myself and personnel in the boxing world, wondered what would posses Pacquiao to take on the bigger, taller, and stronger De La Hoya by moving up two weight classes from 140 to 154. Oscar recalls his reaction at the time.
“When I was told I would be fighting Manny Pacquiao. I laughed because he was moving up two weight divisions,” De La Hoya said. “You all know what happened in that fight,” De La Hoya said.
De La Hoya also mentioned the motive and reason on his decision to make Canelo Khan. With Presidential candidate Donald Trump causing waves in the political world and his recent comments regarding Mexican’s and Muslims. Oscar shared his ideas.
“What two fighters can I put in the ring and make the biggest fight possible. Gennady Golovkin has his dance partner on April 23. So what fight can I make?” De La Hoya said. “I have to thank Donald Trump. I was watching TV, I was watching a debate with Donald Trump. Canelo Alvarez, who's the biggest, most popular fighter in Mexico on one hand...you have one of the most popular fighters in the UK and he's Muslim...thank you Trump...he inspired me to make this fight,"
2016 looks to be a busy year once again for Golden Boy Promotions as they have been selling out the local shows featuring local prospects and talent at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles and Fantasy Springs in Indio at the southern California desert. This weekend HBO will feature a Golden Boy Promotions card with heavyweight Luis "King Kong" Ortiz taking on Tony Thompson and with the Canelo Khan mega fight in May. Oscar talked on some potential matches on the pay per view under card.
“We are close to nailing down the co-feature which can be Matthysse vs. Herrera (Lucas Matthysse vs. Mauricio Herrera). We have King Kong (Luis Ortiz) fighting this Saturday, if he get passed Thompson we can talk about putting him on the card. He is one of the most avoided heavyweights. We have a few tricks up our sleeve,” De La Hoya said. “We also have Joseph Diaz fighting on HBO this is a good opportunity for him and he deserves to be on that big stage,”
There are also talks circulating of a potential showdown between “Canelo” and “GGG” to take place in September at the home of the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Just a few weeks ago, De La Hoya met with Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and talked business. There is a possibility on bringing the potential mega fight to “Jerry’s World.” The venue has already hosted two boxing events and would be the ideal place to host such a mega fight.
“It was pretty exciting meeting with Jerry Jones. We talked business for like 3 hours. He is building a new training facility in Frisco (Texas) and a 12,000 seat arena which I discuss with him of possibly taking some HBO After Dark or Championship Boxing to his new facility,” Oscar De La Hoya told Southern California Boxing.com "We discussed Canelo for a split second. I told him after May 8, I will fly back to Dallas and we can continue our discussion but first things, first, we have Amir Khan on our hands now," De La Hoya added.
"Believe me, it's going to happen I'm telling you people, it's going to happen sooner than later it's going to be a bit complicated to make, but not impossible,” De La Hoya said.
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