Oscar De La Hoya steps up to middleweight class

Dean Juipe

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 | 10:04 a.m.

Suave and typically debonair, Oscar De La Hoya spoke of history and, perhaps, his place in it.

"It's a scary division," he said of his move to 160 pounds and boxing's middleweight division, which has been ruled for a decade by Bernard Hopkins. "These guys are tough.

'But I love it because it's a new challenge.

"And when it comes to challenges, I can step up. I do step up."

De La Hoya is going to have to step up in each of his next two fights, as the sport's arguably biggest star takes on Felix Sturm June 5 at the MGM and, if he wins, Hopkins on Sept. 18 at the same site.

Hopkins will face Robert Allen in the other half of the June doubleheader. As is the case with De La Hoya, Hopkins must win the first fight in order to get the second.

Each of the participants was at the MGM in Las Vegas Tuesday night, where De La Hoya made an announcement that caught the ear of friend and foe alike.

"I'm going to admit it's my last year in boxing," he said, startling even those in his camp and promotional team.

If this is his last year, he aims to make it a good one.

A world champion in five weight classes throughout his 12-year career, De La Hoya will look to add a sixth title if the scenario plays through as planned. Sturm holds a minor title at 160 pounds and Hopkins owns the three major championships at that weight.

"These last fights of my career are going to be my defining moments," De La Hoya said. "I have to prove to everyone and myself that I can do it, that I can fight with these big guys."

Bettors already have their doubts if he can pull it off, as the line on the tentative De La Hoya vs. Hopkins fight in September has already moved significantly in the sports book at the MGM. After opening last week as a co-favorite at a minus 105, De La Hoya is now a decided underdog at a plus 120.

Hopkins is now a minus 140 after opening at a minus 115.

Allen is adamantly suggesting that he will derail the well-laid plans and that he will upset Hopkins when they fight (for a third time) in June.

"I will disrupt things," he said. "I punch hard with both hands and when I'm focused I'm lethal. I was willing to fight Bernard for nothing, just to prove something to myself and to the world."

Hopkins said he has heard it all before.

"He thinks he can pull it off and that's good," Hopkins said of Allen. "But most fighters say things and then can't deliver. When that bell rings, I've got to convince him that he isn't going to deliver.

"I've got to show him that it's impossible for him to win."