Oscar De La Hoya has accepted Eddie Hearn’s challenge for an exciting 5 vs 5 showdown between Golden Boy Promotions and Matchroom Boxing, but with an unexpected twist: De La Hoya wants to make it a 6 vs 6 card, with him facing off against Hearn in a "tiny ring" main event. This proposal comes with plenty of stipulations, especially regarding ring size, which could heavily impact the matchups.
The key bouts De La Hoya wants to see include a showdown between two of the hottest welterweights: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Jaron "Boots" Ennis. However, there's already some doubt as to whether Ennis, who has never fought at 154 lbs, is ready to take on Ortiz in his debut at the higher weight class. Ortiz is coming off a controversial majority decision win over Serhii Bohachuk, which many fans felt he should have lost. This fight, if it happens, would be a true test for both rising stars.
Another potential barnburner is Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda. De La Hoya insists that this fight take place in a smaller ring, which would significantly hinder Stevenson's slick, mobile style. Zepeda, known for his pressure, would benefit from the cramped space, making this bout a true clash of styles.
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On the lightweight front, De La Hoya proposed a fight between Devin Haney and Oscar Duarte. However, Haney, who recently suffered a grueling majority decision loss to Ryan Garcia, may not be eager to face a hard-hitting slugger like Duarte, especially coming off a fight where he was knocked down multiple times.
Eddie Hearn has already agreed to most of De La Hoya's proposed matchups, but with some caveats. Notably, Jaime Munguia is currently with Top Rank, making his fight against Diego Pacheco uncertain unless De La Hoya can secure his return. Nonetheless, with both sides showing willingness to collaborate, this Golden Boy vs. Matchroom card could shape up to be one of the most exciting events of 2025.
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