Five-division world champion Oscar De La Hoya has called out Floyd Mayweather for being over-protective of his legendary undefeated record, believing that ‘TBE’ should not have that streak in the first place and that his own father knows it.
Mayweather hung up the gloves in 2017 after reaching the 50-0 landmark with a stoppage win against UFC superstar Conor McGregor in a lucrative career finale at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
However, after a plethora of exhibition bouts, it was recently announced that the Michigan-born legend would make a return to the professional scene and rematch Manny Pacquiao this September – with his unbeaten record on line.
Yet, in recent days, Mayweather has been attempting to change his contest with Pacquiao from a professional bout to an exhibition, despite reportedly signing for a sanctioned affair and even taking out an advance on his fight purse.
On his Instagram, De La Hoya encouraged Mayweather to proceed with a professional fight, adding his belief that he beat him when they faced off in 2007 and highlighting that his own father has admitted it too.
“Mayweather, come on dude, fight a real fight. You are still trying to protect your ‘0’? Yes, you are 50-0 on paper, but people know that you’ve lost. S**t, your own father said that you lost against me back when we fought.
“What’s crazy is that people don’t know we had a rematch clause for one year and what did you do? Your p***y a** retires for one year and one day.”
It remains unclear whether Mayweather–Pacquiao II will proceed as planned, be modified, or be cancelled; however, the date is currently set for Saturday, September 19.