The Golden Boy is coming home to HBO. For the first time in seven years, Oscar De La Hoya will fight live on HBO against former champ Steve Forbes

Olympic Gold Medalist and Six-Division World Champion OSCAR DE LA HOYA and Former World Champion, STEVE FORBES, "HOMECOMING," set for Saturday, May 3 at The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles and televised live on HBO. The bout also marks De La Hoya's return to HBO's Championship Boxing since his last appearance in 2000.

Steve Forbes


"Homecoming" is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with AEG and The Home Depot Center, and sponsored by Cazadores Tequila, Tecate Beer, Rockstar Energy Drink, Southwest Airlines and Affliction Clothing. The event will be televised live by HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.

Oscar Returns

Oscar De La Hoya is one of the most successful prize fighters in boxing history, if the size of his prizes is the measuring stick.



As his May 3 return to boxing approaches after a self-imposed 20-month exile from the ring, De La Hoya is preparing for his 28th world title fight and to face his 22nd world champion. In those fights he has won some form of a world title in six different weight classes ranging from 130 pounds to 160 pounds, a spread of the scales even someone like the legendary Henry Armstrong would have been proud to call his own.

A superstar whose popularity transcends boxing, Oscar is considered to be one of the best fighters in the world at any weight - "Pound-for-Pound."

He is also the biggest non-heavyweight attraction and moneymaker at the gate. Oscar has defeated 17 current or former world champions, one twice.

Oscar fought WBC-IBF middleweight world champion Bernard Hopkins in a title unification bout on September 18, and after a close battle, Hopkins stopped De La Hoya in the ninth round. Oscar lost no prestige in defeat though, gaining the respect of Hopkins and the boxing community for his continued willingness to fight the best.

"Boxing is in my blood. This is the sport I love and will continue being in as long as my body and mind allow me to."



Oscar De La Hoya won the WBO middleweight world title in his last fight on June 5 with a 12-round unanimous decision against defending champion Felix Sturm of Germany.

At the post-fight press conference, Oscar said, "What can I say? It was a tough fight. I underestimated Sturm, but we trained hard and I did my job, I have now captured six titles, and now I look forward to fighting Hopkins. I am really looking forward to that. I have no excuses. Sturm came to fight and he prepared himself very well. He was a very game fighter. I had to fight hard to win this fight, like a warrior. He took me off my game plan because he is a good fighter, but we changed things up and I pulled it out."

Oscar's previous fight was a controversial decision loss against Shane Mosley - the vast majority of people who watched the fight, some 75% according to various internet polls, thought Oscar deserved to win.



Regarding that fight, Oscar said, "When I fought Mosley the first time around, I felt like I lost, that he got me that night. With this fight, I just don't feel that way. I don't want to blame anyone or point fingers, but that will be a mystery to me for the rest of my life. I put it in its proper place. I'm moving forward. After talking with my family and my wife, I feel wonderful. I feel like the champ. My body and my mind feel great. I feel fresh. I feel at ease."

"I will continue on in the sport, the sport that made me who I am today. Boxing is in my blood. This is the sport I love and will continue being in as long as my body and mind allow me to."

Oscar has been successful at the highest levels of competition, and has beaten current or former world champions Felix Sturm, Fernando Vargas, Pernell Whitaker, Arturo Gatti, Ike Quartey, Julio Cesar Chavez twice, Hector Camacho , Miguel Angel Gonzalez, James Leija, Genaro Hernandez, Rafael Ruelas, John John Molina, Jorge Paez, Javier Francisco, Castillejo, Yory Boy Campas, Jimmi Bredahl and Troy Dorsey.
In December, 2001, Oscar formed his own boxing promotion company, Golden Boy Promotions...

2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications and Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved

“VAZQUEZ-MARQUEZ: THE TRILOGY” ON SHOWTIME; Two-Hour Documentary Will Honor The Fighters For Their Unforgettable Trilogy May 3 at 10:45 p.m.

NEW YORK– The best boxing on television continues this Saturday on SHOWTIME. The premium network will honor Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez for their unforgettable trilogy with the premiere of a two-hour documentary entitled Vazquez-Marquez: The Trilogy airing on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 3 at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT. The Trilogy will re-air on SHO TOO on Tuesday, May 6 at 10 p.m. ET/ PT.

For exclusive behind-the-scenes video, fight highlights, photo galleries and more, fans and media should visit the dedicated Vazquez-Marquez page at SHO.com. (http://www.sho.com/site/sports/VazquezVSMarquezTrilogy.do)

Rafael Marquez, during filming of The Trilogy, watched his epic battle with Israel Vazquez for the first time since the fight. Marquez and Vazquez break down the 12-round contest from the opening bell through the thrilling 12th round in Vazquez-Marquez: The Trilogy, which premiere's Saturday, May 3 at 10:40 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME



Vazquez-Marquez: The Trilogy takes viewers inside this incredible rivalry; a rivalry rooted in Mexican pride, fueled by warrior-like determination and cultivated by mutual respect for one another - a true rarity in sport. The in-depth documentary breaks down each of the three fights with opinions and analysis from the fighters, their managers and trainers, reporters and industry experts.

“The three fights between Vazquez and Marquez had all the elements you look for in any great sporting event – close competition, tremendous skill and athleticism and a touch of controversy,” said Ken Hershman, senior vice president and general manager SHOWTIME Sports & Event Programming. “We felt that these three fights deserved more than just a typical replay. Creating The Trilogy allowed us to explore all of the elements of these unforgettable performances in a fresh and interesting way, allowing fight fans to re-live this piece of boxing history in a brand new way.”

“We couldn’t have picked two more professional fighters, athletes or gentleman to be featured on our network. I want to thank them both for everything they have done for us as fans, and for putting on multiple performances that demonstrate boxing's relevance in the crowded sports television landscape. Vazquez and Marquez helped us remain true to our promise to subscribers: to deliver the most compelling, meaningful and thrilling match ups on the first Saturday of every month.”

IRATE JOAN GUZMAN INSISTS HE WAS GOOD TO GO, READY TO FIGHT

SAN DIEGO, Calif.– World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Lightweight Champion Joan Guzman doesn’t believe Scotland-native Alex Arthur, the interim champion, has the heart or desire to fight him for the full version of the title.



“I don’t understand what the hold up is,” said Guzman, who is promoted by San Diego-based Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “Forget everything you’ve heard or read from Arthur and his promoter about me having visa problems. It’s all a smoke screen.

“The truth is, I received my visa on April 24 and was ready to travel to Scotland the next day. I was packed and ready to go. I was excited.



“I could have easily fought him on the original date (May 3). I don’t know why the fight needed a new date other than the fact that Arthur is flat-out scared of me. He was looking for an excuse to postpone this fight because he knew he was going to get destroyed and embarrassed in front of his hometown fans.

“This only makes me angrier. I want to get my fists on him now more than ever before. This guy is in for a real beating. He’s going to get scotch-taped like you wouldn’t believe.”

Guzman was scheduled to defend his WBO 130 pound title this Saturday, May 3, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He received his visa a little later than expected, but he feels he got it in plenty of time for the fight to happen.



“The visa issue wasn’t even a big deal,” Guzman said. “All the paperwork was in order. I’m convinced Arthur is afraid of me. If he really wanted the fight he would tell his promoter to get us a new, immediate date. It has been nearly a week and we haven’t heard a thing.”

ABOUT SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS:

Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had six current or former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country on premium cable networks.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz, lightweight sensation Jorge Paez Jr., undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk and once-beaten, super middleweight prospect Henry Buchanan.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Scott Woodworth, vice president.

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved