Floyd Mayweather retired and unretired to avoid a rematch with the opponent he replaced at the top of the Pound for Pound boxing tree.
That’s according to Oscar De La Hoya, who lost to Mayweather via split decision in 2007. The Golden Boy promoter alleges Mayweather announced he’d be hanging up his gloves and walking away from the sport only to make a comeback the day after a contract clause with De La Hoya ran out, says the 1992 Olympic gold medalist.
“I felt like it [the 2007 decision[ could have gone either way,” De La Hoya told PBD Podcast. “There’s a funny story about that too. We had a rematch clause. If he beats me, we get a rematch. It was a one-year clause. Guess what he did? He retired for one year and one day. Nobody knows this, but it is included in the contract. I believe he admitted why he retired for a year.”
Asked if he ever tried to get another fight with Mayweather after that, De La Hoya replied, “He was not interested, and he retired from the sport. But sure enough, the day after that contract was up, he announced his un-retirement.”
De La Hoya was then asked if it felt like Mayweather flipped him, to which he responded, “Oh, absolutely. I knew it, and he knew it.”
On where Mayweather stands in the standings of boxing legends, De La Hoya admitted Floyd was above him.
“Yeah, you have to [place Mayweather higher] because he is undefeated, and he beat me. So naturally, I have to do it even though I don’t want to. In my head, I am the very best, obviously. But on paper, I would put myself in the top fifty in the world of all time.”
“Rematch Clause” – @OscarDeLaHoya ALLEGES Floyd Mayweather Retired To Dodge Rematch.@patrickbetdavid pic.twitter.com/VRshw0S4Zl
— PBD Podcast (@PBDsPodcast) August 9, 2024
Mayweather fought another decade after the De La Hoya victory, culminating in a 50-0 record obtained in what was essentially an exhibition against Conor McGregor in 2017. Since then, Mayweather has made significant paychecks, competing in sideshows against MMA stars, YouTubers, and TV personalities.
His latest effort comes against John Gotti III and occurs in Mexico on August 24.
De La Hoya had thought about a comeback himself and even signed on the dotted line to battle Vitor Belfort in 2021. Oscar pulled out due to illness, with word around the campfire saying that De La Hoya had heard stories of the former UFC star in training and wanted no part of it.
Evander Holyfield then stepped in at 58 and was taken apart in one round.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
