Source: Dan Rafael
It's gonna happen. The biggest money fight in boxing history will run one more time.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and Oscar de la Hoya are close to a deal for a fight in September. From Rafael:
Schaefer said the fight would be Sept. 13 or Sept. 20 on HBO pay-per-view. He said the site for Mayweather-De La Hoya II has not been settled but he is holding the September dates at the 27,000-seat Home Depot Center, the outdoor home to the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. He said other venues are also interested, including the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
A source also told ESPN.com Wednesday night that Dodger Stadium was interested in hosting the fight after L.A. native De La Hoya suggested he'd like to fight there before retiring.
...
"Floyd is agreeable to do the fight and so is Oscar," Schaefer said. "Now it's just me working through everything."
Although De La Hoya has said he planned to return to the welterweight division and Mayweather is the welterweight world champion, Schaefer said the weight for a rematch hadn't been determined. He said it could be at a catch weight somewhere between the 147-pound welterweight division and 154-pound junior middleweight class.
"It's something we are discussing," he said.
It's a fight that will come with mixed anticipation, much like Jones-Trinidad, but something entirely different. Even those of us that felt the fight was entertaining and close don't really seem to want to see it. Many felt the fight wasn't entertaining or particularly close, that Mayweather outclassed Oscar, fighting at a weight at which he had no business.
The weight is a minor issue, particularly if they go for a catchweight, which I figure would be 150 pounds. You probably remember that Mayweather weighed in at 150 for the first fight, anyway, and the only thing that could be different is probably a little less power for Oscar.
Can de la Hoya beat Mayweather? You never say never. He's tough and he's good, and if Floyd, Sr., is back in his corner, he'll work with the trainer that he knows well and who is probably best-equipped to talk strategy on neutralizing Floyd's superior speed, incredible accuracy, and amazing defense.
But I wouldn't bet a dollar on Oscar. And I don't think this fight will be as close as the first one was. Mayweather is doing nothing from here on out but establishing his legend and making his money.
The boxing fan in me demands a fight with Miguel Cotto and sees Floyd-Oscar II as something of a slap in the face, but the guy who understands business in me realizes there's too much money to pass up. Who can really blame them?