Oscar De La Hoya has sent a word of warning to a former world title challenger.
‘The Golden Boy’ enjoyed an outstanding professional career of his own, winning world titles in six weight classes throughout the course of his 16-year tenure.
He racked up a number of legacy defining victories along the way, defeating the likes of Julio Cesar Chavez, Arturo Gatti, Ike Quartey and Hector Camacho among many others.
After he was beaten by Manny Pacquiao in December of 2008, De La Hoya would announce his retirement from boxing to focus on his business career under the Golden Boy Promotions banner where he has enjoyed considerable success, though not without controversy and beef.
He always has words for Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, and an opponent of the Mexican, Edgar Berlanga, last year took issue at the promoter for his comments on their fight. At one of the pre-fight press conferences, Berlanga said:
“And I want to say something, too: f*ck Oscar De La Hoya too,” Berlanga said. “That motherf*cker, he’e always — he keeps talking, he keeps talking and talking. We’re gonna smack him when we see him. He’s got to stop. He’s trying to f*ck up the event.”
The pair have continued to trade digs online and via the media, the latest of which came from ‘The Golden Boy.’ Speaking in a video uploaded to social media, De La Hoya goaded the 28-year-old fighter.
“Edgar Berlanga, I have a huge surprise for you July 12th, I’m going for William Zepeda. But you know what? I cannot wait to see you. You say you’re going to slap me? I dare you!”
The 28-year-old from Brooklyn fell short in his challenge for Canelo’s unified super-middleweight championship last September, suffering the first defeat of his professional career to the Mexican icon in Las Vegas.
‘The Chosen One’ will have his sights set on putting himself back in the frame for a world title shot at 168lbs, but must come through what is set to be a tough test against the hard-hitting Sheeraz – who makes his divisional debut – next month. A distracting feud with De La Hoya – who promoted William Zepeda, the man facing Shakur Stevenson on the same card – during fight week won’t help.
