De La Hoya Might Face Disciplinary Hearing

Moved to cynicism by recent claims that Oscar De La Hoya pulled out of tonight’s fight at Madison Square Garden because of a hand injury, New York State Athletic Commission Executive Officer Randy Gordon said he might seek a disciplinary hearing--and possible suspension--even without a request from De La Hoya’s promoter, Bob Arum.

“I would have been happier if he just said he pulled out because of his manager problems, like he originally told Arum,” Gordon said of reports that De La Hoya has had a cast placed on his left hand. “Tell you what, it sounded like a fabricated story to me.

“I’m not sure what we’re going to do, but in my heart, I would like to have De La Hoya come in here, take a hammer to the plaster and find out how that hand really is.”

Gordon said he told De La Hoya’s attorney, Michael Norris, that if it was an injury--and not problems with his co-managers--New York would require De La Hoya to be examined by a doctor approved by the California State Athletic Commission. So far, Gordon said, that has not happened.

Originally, Gordon said he wouldn’t call a hearing on the matter unless Arum sought one. Arum, who apparently will remain De La Hoya’s promoter, said Wednesday he probably won’t ask for a hearing.

With Mittleman and Nelson fading from the picture, De La Hoya is still scheduled to make his first world title challenge March 5 at the Olympic Auditorium as part of a soon-to-be-signed five-fight deal with HBO, and Arum said that, as far as he knew, that fight was very much alive.

Raynaldo T. Garza, one of De La Hoya’s new advisers, and Norris have apparently scheduled a news conference--which may include an appearance by De La Hoya--for Friday.