BY: Robert Epstein

The hottest boxing news today was the breakdown of the Oscar De La Hoya –Manny Pacquiao negotiations for a December 6th bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Apparently the two sides could not reach an agreement on the percentage of the purse split. With De La Hoya only willing to give Pacquiao 30 percent of the purse and Manny wanting 40 percent a compromise could not be reached.

Pacquiao through his lawyer today informed the public that he is going to move on and seek another opponent for his next battle. Bob Arum head of Top Rank Pacquiao’s promoter will now try to lock in a November fight with Humberto Soto (44- 7, 28 KOs) of Mexico. Soto is coming off a controversial disqualification in a bout against Francisco Lorenzo In that bout which was part of the Pacquiao –David Diaz card at the Mandalay Bay on June 28. Soto knocked out Lorenzo, however, he was disqualified by referee Joe Cortez for hitting Lorenzo while he was down. The hit after the bell caused a cut on Lorenzo’s head to open and blood soaked the canvas. So it appears that Pacquiao will settle for the Soto bout which he will make several millions less dollars than if he faced De LA Hoya.

While team Golden Boy will huddle up next week to plan their next move and I believe they only have one move and it’s a move they may fear. They must dial up Antonio Margarito this is the only opponent left that will draw fan interest. Forget about Berto, Cotto and Clottey the fans will cheer a De La Hoya – Margarito slug fest. Yes De La Hoya will be an underdog in this bout but what a way to go out against the hottest boxer in the sport right now. Margarito coming off his scorching victory over Cotto is exactly what boxing requires. A De La Hoya – Margarito bout can break all pay per view records and will sell out in hours.

De La Hoya may lose actually he may get knocked out however if he pulls off the upset he will go out as a super legend. Oscar will go out on top of the boxing world beating the best in the sport right now. Why face anyone else when you can face the best, there is serious risk, however, in this sport that is all you do is put yourself at risk every single bout. Why not Oscar give the fans what they want to see a legend facing the most feared boxers in the game. If you win De LA Hoya you will be a super legend so forget the rest and have Richard Schaefer dial up Margarito.