De La Hoya Eyes 5v5 Card With Hearn – ‘Preparing Some Big Things In 2025’

December 30, 2024

2 months

De La Hoya Eyes 5v5 Card With Hearn - 'Preparing Some Big Things In 2025'

Oscar De La Hoya wants to do a 5 vs. 5 card with Eddie Hearn, as talks have begun.

The concept was introduced by the Saudis, which involves competing promoters putting five of their best boxers against each other to see who comes out victorious. There has been one instance of this when Hearn took on Frank Warren. Hearn lost all five fights, giving Warren the victory. De La Hoya and Hearn are big rivals.

They have fired verbal shots at each other throughout the years despite being with the same broadcasting network in DAZN. However, the introduction of Saudi Arabia into boxing has brought promoters together. It has increased more collaboration, allowing for the best fights to be made. De La Hoya has now revealed that there are discussions taking place for a 5 vs. 5 card for next year.

De La Hoya Reacts

“There have been rumors that my company may do a five on five against Matchroom Sports, which is run by my buddy Eddie Hearn. We all know Eddie has the worst record as a promoter and his fighters aren’t the cream of the crop, but I’m always up for giving the fans a good night of fights under one condition — the fights will be contested in a tiny ring so nobody can run [Jaron Ennis and Shakur Stevenson],” De La Hoya stated

“We’re continuing to do discussions and preparing to do some big things in 2025,” De La Hoya added

This naturally raises question marks over who would appear on the card. There is a potential to see Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda. Shakur is the WBC Lightweight Champion who will defend his title against Floyd Schofield on February 22. But Zepeda was meant to be the initial opponent. However, the Mexican had to pull out after suffering a hand injury. There is also the opportunity to put Ryan Garcia on the card. Garcia will return to boxing in April 2025 after serving a year ban for failed VADA tests for Ostarine.

Reaction

The failed tests occurred after his victory over Devin Haney, which became a no-contest. Garcia and Jarron Ennis have been linked with a fight. That is a bout that could be made. Ennis is struggling to make unifications at 147. Meanwhile, Garcia indicated his desire to fight above 140 pounds, saying he could no longer make that weight. These are just some of the fights which could be made. Boxing commentators have already expressed their desire to see such a card.

“It’s hard for me to go against ‘Boots’ … Ryan would be new to welterweight or 154 pounds and he’s been out of the ring for so long,” Chris Algieri said

“That will be the most anticipated fight of Shakur Stevenson’s career, but it’s another fight with the advantage to Eddie. (Zepeda) is a really fun fighter to watch … I’d like to see him get a title first … but Shakur really does want all the smoke,” Paulie Malignaggi