Oscar De La Hoya vs Floyd Mayweather: Golden Boy seriously considering a return at 42

The first fight between the pair was the then richest fight in history

(Getty Images)

Oscar De La Hoya is considering a return to the ring at age 42 - with a potential rematch against Floyd Mayweather a strong possibility.

The Golden Boy, who now promotes fights, was arguably the most bankable boxer in the sport when he first fought, generating around $700million in pay per view income.

He won an Olympic gold medal in 1992 and 10 world titles at six different weight classes, before retiring with a 39-6 record after being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in 2008.

But despite his advancing years, De La Hoya is considering a return to the ring to fight pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather - their first bout in May 2007 was, at the time, the most lucrative in boxing history, generating more than $130m in revenue.

“Right now it’s 50-50,” De La Hoya told USA Today. “And the reason why I say 50-50 is because I have to sit down with my family, which I’m going to do next week, with my wife and kids, and seriously talk to them about the pros and cons.”

De La Hoya, who was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame last year has had two stints in rehab but now says he is running eight miles a day.

“If I do decide what’s going to take place, I have to seclude myself in Big Bear for close to four months, so it’s a lot of sacrifice. But I have to get my family on board, which should be no problem because my family supports me 100 per cent.”

The promoter, 42, last fought in 2008 (Getty Images)

He added: "I’m feeling rejuvenated, I’m feeling excited and motivated/ Especially, because, when I watch (Golden Boy fighter David) Lemieux, when I watch Canelo (Alvarez), when I watch (Jorge) Linares and (Lucas) Matthysse doing what they’re doing, it gives you this sense of rejuvenation.

“It gives you a sense of, you know, I can do this too. When you think about Juan Manuel Marquez, who is what, 41, 42 and still going strong. He has more wear and tear on his body and how can he do it, and why am I retired?

“I think about Bernard Hopkins, who I was with all weekend in Canada, he’s 50 and going strong. I’m a fighter who, yes, hasn’t been in the ring in a long time, but I haven’t taken any punishment.”

Asked who he would like to fight, De La Hoya said: “Mayweather said he’ll finally give me a rematch, even though we had a rematch clause after our first fight. But I would like to see Mayweather fight (Gennady) Golovkin first, and then I’ll be ready (for the winner) next year. All I need is a few months. It would be sometime next year.”