Oscar De La Hoya ‘hates’ how money is eclipsing boxing history at Mayweather v Pacquiao

Oscar De La Hoys does not like the way boxing has become purely about business during the Floyd Mayweather era. Isaac Brekken / AP Photo

DUBAI // Oscar De La Hoya says so much emphasis has been placed on the huge sums involved in next month’s fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao that it has overshadowed what could potentially happen in the ring.

Dubbed the “Fight of the Century”, the bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is expected to shatter all of boxing’s financial records to gross more than US$400 million (Dh1.47 billion).

It has been speculated that the pay-per-view buys will reach four million, trumping the previous high by almost 1.6 million, which would potentially generate $360m alone. As part of their contracts, Mayweather Jr and Pacquiao will both bank a portion of those takings, reported to be 55-60 per cent.

Meanwhile, with gate receipts set to surpass $70m, the fighters will likely take home well in excess of $100m each. The purse is to be split 60-40 in Mayweather’s favour.

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Given the money-spinning numbers, a large portion of the focus has been on the boxers’ bank balances rather than what will transpire when the bell finally rings on May 2. De La Hoya, a six-division world champion and now a successful promoter, expressed his disappointment in that, although having promoted Mayweather’s fights between 2007 and 2014, he understands why so much attention has centred on the figures and not the fighters.

“That’s just the Mayweather era,” said De La Hoya on the sidelines of the Icons Cup, a two-day golf exhibition in Dubai. “It’s business, which I hate because boxing lost its value of being called a true world champion, caring about the history and the pride and the honour of fighting the very best and fighting for that pride. It’s more of a business now.

“Especially this fight being billed as the richest fight in boxing history. Personally, I am not too fond of that type of build-up. I’d rather people talking about how great it’s going to be for boxing. Forget about the business. If it’s a great fight the business just follows you, it comes right behind you, it happens.”

De La Hoya is one of five boxers to have shared the ring with both Mayweather and Pacquiao. His split-decision defeat to the former, in 2007, still holds the record for pay-per-view buys, at 2.4 million.

The Mexican-American, who now runs Golden Boy Promotions, criticised the recent ticket fiasco but said he still believes fans will get what they paid for come May 2. Tickets did not go on sale until Wednesday.

He also hinted at the possibility of a rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao, although he has previously called for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, whom he promotes, to be given another shot at the American. Alvarez lost on points to Mayweather Jr in September 2013.

“At the end of the day people are going to see a great fight, it’ll be great for boxing,” De La Hoya said. “It’s going to be one of those fights where people are going to want to see more and hopefully we’ll see a second and a third.”

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