Former jr. welterweight champion and British sensation Ricky Hatton may have just been given an offer that he can't refuse: a mega-fight with former 10-time world champion and pay-per-view kingpin Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya has officially been retired since Apirl of 2009, when he made the announcement during a public press conference just four months after Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiaio battered him for eight rounds before the corner mercifully called a halt to the bout. Although this isn't the first time that rumors of a De La Hoya comeback have surfaced, it is the first time that an official from Golden Boy Promotions is on record discussing plans for a return.
Evidently, according to Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail, Robert Diaz, a matchmaker at Golden Boy Promotions, discussed the potential showdown with Hatton himself last week as he visited Manchester, England for David Haye's WBA title defense against Audley Harrison. "This would be a huge event which we believe would fill a football ground here in England," Diaz would comment.
Hatton, who was in attendance for Haye's 3rd round TKO of Harrison, was said to be looking relatively fit after a month-long stint in rehab following his cocaine controversy. Sources close to Hatton believe that a return to boxing just might be the best way to ensure that a relapse doesn't happen in the near future. "It's true mate. And it's the best thing for him. He can still fight, and I truly believe that the desire is still there. A fight like that will keep Ricky's head square on it's shoulders where it belongs," one source would comment via email.
Given the developing situation with Golden Boy partner Shane Mosley, who's contemplating a potential union with Top Rank in hopes of securing bouts independently, it should come as no surprise that De La Hoya is eyeing a return to the pay-per-view scene. With virtually no pay-per-view stars left on their roster, the financial future of the company could be in jeopardy if they're unable to stage the type of multi-million dollar events that they've grown accustomed. If a bout between the Golden Boy and the Hitman does indeed take place, particularly if it's staged in England, there's no doubt that it would be a huge success, despite the fact that neither fighter has fought since losing to Manny Pacquiao.
[ Follow Ben Thompson on Twitter @fighthype ]