Oscar De La Hoya Serious About Ring Return, Eyes Bout Against Conor McGregor

Like most retired boxers, Golden Boy Promotions chief Oscar De La Hoya is not kidding about making a ring return.

He reiterated his plans of putting on the gloves once more and even bared that he is continuously training. The multiple-time champion shared that he has already lost 20 pounds and is prepared to take on anyone.

In an Instagram Live session, the 47-year-old tackled the possibility of making a comeback by the first quarter of 2021. No opponent has been mentioned, but De La Hoya stressed that it would be against the very best.

“None of these ducking fighters like the way fighters duck everyone today. They make it impossible because they price themselves out. It’s a huge problem … George Foreman did it, and I think I can do it as well … I feel like a million, million bucks. It’s crazy,” De La Hoya said as transcribed by Boxingscene.

The last time De La Hoya fought was way back in 2008. He lost to Manny Pacquiao in the eighth round, the fourth loss of his boxing career. He then announced his retirement a few months after the blockbuster bout.

He has since taken an active role handling Golden Boy Promotions, credited for guiding Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and the undefeated Ryan Garcia.

Though no opponent has been officially named, De La Hoya was tied to a potential fight with Conor McGregor. Speaking on the Share State of Combat podcast, “The Golden Boy” said it would only take him two rounds to finish off the fighting Irishman.

But right now, there are things that De La Hoya needs to address. He is currently part of a legal battle involving Alvarez and DAZN, which has yet to get resolved.

As for McGregor, he took De La Hoya’s rant as a challenge and accepted. Unfortunately, nothing prospered. The former UFC champion has now his sights on facing the same fighter that ended De La Hoya’s career--Pacquiao.

A boxing match between McGregor and Pacquiao looms in 2021, but both personalities want to have warmup fights before that.

McGregor is reportedly in talks with Dustin Poirier for a rematch on Jan. 23 in the UFC, while Pacquiao has not announced anything official as to who he could face next before duking out with "The Notorious."