De La Hoya Says Trinidad Is Crazy Not to Fight Him

Oscar De La Hoya is fighting mad, mad that he’s not fighting Felix Trinidad.

De La Hoya expressed bewilderment and anger Tuesday at the news that Trinidad, who beat De La Hoya in September, has turned his back on a proposed rematch, opting instead to fight David Reid in March. According to HBO officials, De La Hoya and Trinidad could make between $18 million and $20 million each in a second fight. Trinidad, who is managed by his father, Felix Sr., will make $4 million against Reid, the World Boxing Assn. 154-pound champion.

“I was surprised,” De La Hoya said of Sunday’s announcement that Trinidad-Reid was set for March 4 at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace. “I was mad. What is [Trinidad] thinking, taking a $16-million cut and risking a loss against Reid? How are you going to turn down $20 million for three or four million? It’s crazy. I don’t know what the father is thinking. Twenty-million dollars is twenty-million dollars. Trinidad will never, ever make that again. He is out of the mix.”

In their first fight, which Trinidad won on a close decision in a matchup of unbeaten fighters, De La Hoya made about $23 million while Trinidad earned $10.5 million. Don King, Trinidad’s promoter, said the two fighters should exchange paychecks for a second fight. Bob Arum, De La Hoya’s promoter, insisting that it is De La Hoya who remains the attraction, said he would settle for a 50-50 split. Lou DiBella, senior vice president of Time Warner Sports, which would televise the event, suggested a 51-49 split with Trinidad, the champion, getting the larger amount.

“I’ve got no problem with that,” De La Hoya said. “That is no problem whatsoever. Even if it was 52-48. I have no problem with him making more money than me.”

Money is only one issue with Trinidad. He has also demanded to choose the site, preferring New York, which is closer to his native Puerto Rico, to Las Vegas.

“I have no problem whatsoever with the location,” De La Hoya said.

Trinidad also wants to change the weight. He beat De La Hoya at 147 pounds, but has struggled in the past to get down to that weight and wants the rematch at 154. That’s a problem.

“We fought for the title at 147,” De La Hoya said. “We have to have the rematch at 147.”

For now, De La Hoya plans to fight either World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Ahmed Kotiev or the World Boxing Council’s top welterweight contender, Derrell Coley, in February, and then, if De La Hoya wins, he would face Shane Mosley in May or June.

“Hopefully, I will fight him before my career is over,” De La Hoya said. “He is always going to say he is the only guy to beat me, but I am not desperate to get the rematch. If he doesn’t want to take it, I will move on with my career.”