Former multi-time (and multi-weight) boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya, much like Mike Tyson before him, will make his return to the “sweet science” for a special Triller Fight Club pay-per-view (PPV) event in July.
In “serious talks” with the 48 year-old “Golden Boy” is former UFC lightweight titleholder Eddie Alvarez, who is currently signed to ONE Championship in Singapore. In fact, they could get a deal done as early as this week.
“There’s serious talks,” Alvarez told ESPN. “They’re serious like ‘wanting to get a deal done this week’ serious. That’d be a hell of a fight and I’ve got everyone here in Philadelphia backing me, and the whole Philadelphia boxing [community] to back me up. Getting in there to mix it up with that guy would be a dream come true. I actually think I’d do pretty damn good against him. I’d be crazy excited about that if them guys figure that out.”
While it sounds like a fun fight on paper, Alvarez will have to somehow convince ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong to let another combat sports organization make bank off one of his top headliners, a common problem in prize fighting which is why so many companies are resigned to co-promotion for the sake of getting a deal done.
And getting people paid.
“I spoke briefly to Chatri about it and we’ll speak further about it and we’ll see what comes of it,” Alvarez continued. “I never get too excited until papers are in front of me and we have a bout agreement online and everybody’s happy with what’s on the paper. They tried to get some larger names, but the larger names either outbid themselves or were under contract.”
Expect more on this developing story in the coming days.