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Looks like long odds for Wright-De La Hoya bout

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published May 9, 2006

St. Petersburg native Winky Wright's longtime dream of fighting Oscar De La Hoya is alive and well, but just how well remains to be seen over the next few weeks as the Golden Boy decides his next step.

After destroying Ricardo Mayorga on Saturday night in one of the most impressive performances of his career, postfight talk quickly shifted to the $20-million question.

Who's next?

That decision may be delayed because, the Los Angeles Times reported, De La Hoya injured his left arm in Saturday's fight. A proposed September date might have to be pushed back.

If the injury isn't serious, Floyd Mayweather Jr. continues to insist that he's the opponent. Regarded as the world's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Mayweather is salivating at the opportunity to meet De La Hoya and pick up a paycheck that will be awfully close to $20-million.

But there is one big catch: Mayweather's father has made it clear he would step down as De La Hoya's trainer if that fight is made.

"I don't give a damn what he wants," Big Floyd said. "I'm the daddy and I'm calling the shots because I can. If I don't want my son to fight Oscar, it's not going to happen. Everybody in here can say that they want to see the fight. But nobody has to lay down with the burden on their heads of their son getting knocked out."

But De La Hoya is promising a surprise when he makes his decision.

Golden Boy vs. Pretty Boy would not be a surprise.

De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad would.

Knocked into retirement by Wright, Trinidad perpetually is rumored to be coming back. His first fight with De La Hoya sold an astounding 1.2-million pay-per-views, a record for a non-heavyweight fight. The rematch might do as well.

It is a far riskier fight for De La Hoya than others. If he wants to go out a winner, he might want to look at Ricky Hatton, though would anyone care enough about that fight?

Or he could retire, and let his sweet victory over Mayorga carry him back into the promotional business.

That leaves Wright praying for some things to break his way, which he doesn't think will.

According to trainer Dan Birmingham, Wright sees the possibility of a fight with De La Hoya as a "shot in the dark."

Birmingham thinks De La Hoya will hang up his gloves.

But if Big Floyd has the sway he thinks he does, and De La Hoya wants one more fight, Wright stands a chance only because he is held in such disregard by the trainer.

"My honest opinion is that he'll beat Winky," Mayweather told secondsout.com. "Winky is not a power puncher. Winky beat Trinidad very easy because Trinidad is a methodical fighter. He drags his back foot and keeps his guard wide open for the right hand to get through. Winky is a boring fighter. I think Oscar will beat him if they fight."

Will the Golden Boy listen?

Lightweight Edner Cherry, quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting TV fighters in the game, faces a tough test Friday at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa when he meets Monty Meza-Clay (20-0) on ESPN's Friday Night Fights. ... Unbeaten light heavyweight Chad Dawson, who trains out of the St. Pete Boxing Club, will take on Eric Harding (23-3) for the NABF title June 2 in Calfornia. The winner will be in prime position for some big light heavyweight title fights. ... Star Boxing has hired Brad Jacobs, former USF student and boxing promoter for Alessi Promotions, as senior vice president of operations and development. Jacobs was senior adviser to Roy Jones Jr. the past six years.

[Last modified May 9, 2006, 00:42:06]