Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (left, fighting Matt Vanda) might be the perfect opponent for Oscar De La Hoya if he decides to continue fighting. Photo / Ray Kasprowicz


Assuming for a moment that Oscar De La Hoya doesn’t retire, who would be a compelling comeback opponent?

I was having coffee with Bob Arum on Tuesday after the news conference promoting the Antonio Margarito-Shane Mosley fight when I suggested what Arum has already contemplated: De La Hoya vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Chavez would be the perfect foil for De La Hoya. There’s the story line: “Revenge of the Son!” playing off the fact De La Hoya beat Senior twice. The fight could be at 154 pounds, a better weight for De La Hoya. And Chavez probably wouldn’t pose a serious threat in the ring.

Of course, when I served up that last thought to Arum, his eyes got big and he said very slowly, “Chavez … knocks … out … De … La … Hoya,” as if he’s already started the promotion. And to back up his point, he immediately got his matchmaker, Bruce Trampler, on the line and handed me the phone.

“Bruce. Mike Rosenthal. I’m sitting here with Bob and we want to know who you think would win if De La Hoya fought Chavez Jr.”

“Are we talking about after what happened Saturday night.”

“Yes.”

“Welllllllllll.” Trampler wasn’t committing.

“Is it a winnable fight for Chavez?”

“Yes, it’s winnable. It’s a hard fight (for Chavez), though.”

So there you have it: A promoter who thinks he can sell the fight, a matchmaker who thinks the fight is competitive and a reporter thinking about all the stories that could be written. And, by the way, Chavez Jr. would jump at the opportunity.

At least two things stand in the way of the match up: One, De La Hoya might retire. And, two, he might not want to be pitted again against the Mexican community.

Just a thought.