Former WBA Welterweight Champion Calls for a Rematch With Boxing Legend Oscar De La Hoya

Former six-weight world champion Oscar De La Hoya might have found a new challenge at the age of 47 that can bring him back inside the boxing ring. He was seemingly thinking of a return a few months back and was also rumored to have begun the training. However, ‘Golden Boy’ didn’t validate the rumors from his end.

If he is actually eyeing a comeback, his former opponent Ike Quartey would like to welcome him inside the squared circle. The Ghanaian had an extremely close call with De La Hoya when they squared off in 1999. Although ‘Golden Boy’ walked off with the win, several fans believe that Quartey had done enough to bag the fight.

‘Bazooka’ believes the same, and it seems that the loss still itches him to this day. That said, Ike Quartey is ready to return in action if De La Hoya throws him a challenge. In his recent interview with Boxing Scene, he has clarified the statements and revealed that he is seeking revenge after more than two decades.

Quartey said, “Vengeance is the sole motivation with the controversy surrounding the winner of the first fight, it would be of benefit for Oscar to set things straight by fighting me since so many fans believe he lost. I’m a perfectionist and regarded Oscar as the only fighter that belonged in my class. The loss, my first, was emotionally destabilizing to me. Like many people, I thought I won the fight. It would be redeeming to get another crack at Oscar and win.”

No Oscar De La Hoya, no Return for Ike Quartey

If not for De La Hoya, the Ghanaian doesn’t desire to come back. At the age of 50, he doesn’t have anything to prove. But it’s just the one fight that will draw him back to the squared circle.

The ‘Bazooka’ said, “I have no desire to come back except to fight Oscar. If Oscar decides to come back. An Oscar fight is the only one worth my time because of how appealing and promotable it is. It’s been over a decade since my last fight, but I am a fighter through and through and if I got the fight, I’d come to win and win big. I walk around at about 160 pounds, so weight will not be a problem.”

He added, “It was one of the most controversial wins of Oscar’s career, and many people think I won to this day. It’s a chance to set the record straight. The fight is very promotable.”

It seems that the ball is in De La Hoya’s court and he is the man to make the final call. If it takes place, it will be another classic return of two former elites, following the footsteps of Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.