Role Reversal: De La Hoya Can’t Catch Trinidad

Oscar De La Hoya will fight World Boxing Council 154-pound champion Javier Castillejo of Spain June 23 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

He will fight a big-name opponent, probably Fernando Vargas, in the fall.

Yet De La Hoya still feels regret over the one fighter who is out of reach, at least in the months ahead--Felix Trinidad.

De La Hoya admitted Wednesday at a Century City news conference for the Castillejo fight that, after losing a majority decision to Trinidad at 147 pounds in 1999, he turned down an immediate rematch at 154 because of a lack of confidence.

But no more, De La Hoya insisted.

“I would fight him at 175 pounds with rocks in my pocket, if necessary,” De La Hoya said.

But Trinidad has moved on. After devastating victories over David Reid and Vargas at 154, Trinidad, in his first fight at 160, won by TKO over William Joppy last Saturday, setting up a Sept. 15 match against Bernard Hopkins to unify the middleweight division. Beyond that, Trinidad hopes to fight Roy Jones at 168 pounds by December or January.

“I regret it so bad, man,” De La Hoya said of turning down a second fight against Trinidad. “But back then, I didn’t believe in myself at 154. I thought he would be stronger and feel more powerful.

“But I haven’t seen one change in him. He is still a one-dimensional fighter with a punch like a mule. But I know how to beat a mule.”

De La Hoya (33-2, 27 knockouts) figures to be too fast and talented for Castillejo (51-4, 34). A victory by De La Hoya would put him in the exclusive company of Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns as the only fighters to win titles in five weight divisions.

If he beats Castillejo as expected, De La Hoya, according to those around him, would most likely fight Vargas, who was knocked down five times by Trinidad last December in Vargas’ first loss. Vargas was also knocked down earlier this month by light-hitting Wilfredo Rivera before Vargas came back to win by TKO.

“Vargas has to prove himself to me,” De La Hoya said. “Maybe he needs to win a title, or maybe he just needs to knock out his next opponent. He has to stop talking and prove himself.

“He is just not the same after fighting Trinidad. Vargas reminds me of a guy I fought in 1995, Rafael Ruelas, who was already shot by the time he was [24]. When you are knocked down five times, you are just not the same.”

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Fight Facts

A look at the Javier Castillejo vs. Oscar De La Hoya fight:

Date: June 23.

Site: MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

At Stake: Castillejo’s World Boxing Council super-welterweight (154 pounds) title.

Records: Castillejo 51-4, 34 knockouts; De La Hoya 33-2, 27 knockouts.

Fast fact: With a victory, De La Hoya would join Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns as the only fighters to win titles in five weight divisions.