De La Hoya, Mayweather to make history

Boxing: Oscar De La Hoya has struck a deal with Floyd Mayweather for a fight in May next year which is expected to break pay…

Boxing:Oscar De La Hoya has struck a deal with Floyd Mayweather for a fight in May next year which is expected to break pay-per-view records and become the biggest grossing event in boxing history.

The 33-year-old De La Hoya will be paid well in excess of £13million to meet reigning world welterweight champion Mayweather, who will also receive a career-best purse of over £5.3million.

The bout will feature the two outstanding talents of the new century, with De La Hoya boasting world titles at six different weights and the unbeaten Mayweather seeking his fifth.

It can realistically target an unprecedented two million pay-per-view buys, beating the current record of £1.99 million who witnessed Mike Tyson biting Evander Holyfield's ear in 1997.

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Lennox Lewis' world title defence against Mike Tyson attracted less pay-per-view purchases but grossed a record estimated £58million in revenue due to its higher price.

De Hoya confirmed terms for the eagerly awaited contest had been agreed between all parties this week.

He said: "Done deal! I took this fight because I want to take on the best."

Despite previous claims to the contrary, De La Hoya claims he will continue his career beyond Mayweather.

He told ESPN.com: "It is not going to be my final fight. Call me crazy, but I changed my mind."

Mayweather also has retirement issues. He shocked the boxing world after beating Carlos Baldomir earlier this month, when he announced he would fight one more time before quitting the sport.

De La Hoya announced himself as boxing's next superstar when he beat Julio Cesar Chavez in four rounds for the WBC light-welterweight title in Las Vegas in 1996.

Despite defeats in two of his last four contests, De La Hoya looked back to his best in hammering Ricardo Mayorga to take back the WBC light-middleweight title in May.

The dazzling Mayweather has won all 37 of his professional fights and claimed world titles at every weight from super-feather to welter. He won every round against the tough Baldomir this month.

The fight will be given added intrigue if De La Hoya sticks with his usual trainer for the fight. He is trained by Mayweather's estranged father.

De La Hoya added: "I will sit down with him and talk about this. I want to see how he feels. I want to look into his eyes and see if he is going to be as passionate as I am when we are in training."