By Derrick P. Villanueva: Would be a perfect match, don’t you think? Two boxing legends with massive fan bases clashing one final time in their careers to relive their “Glory Days.” Why is it perfect? 1.) The money involved in such a fight would decisively send both fighters into retirement with fat pensions. 2.) Hatton and De La Hoya are both past their prime, making for a well-matched classic bout of Boxer vs. Brawler. 3.) The interest from both fighter’s fan bases as well as boxing fans in general would be massive and the fight would be easy to market. (Imagine De La Hoya trash talking in 24/7.) 4.) Both fighters can knock each other out.

If this imaginary fight could be made it should be held in Las Vegas with the promise, like Michael Jackson, that “This Is It.” Heck, that could even be the tagline for the fight itself. The purse could be a 60-40 or 65-35 split with the bigger chunk going to De La Hoya.

Reports are abounding recently of Ricky Hatton looking for one last war. I think a fight with De La Hoya would go a long way in satisfying him and boxing fans alike. The bout should be held at a “catchweight” of 149-151 lbs. Both fighters in their present state would struggle to get down to this weight but nobody would hold a considerable advantage over the other. They would have to use 10oz. gloves to protect each other from further brain damage as they’ve suffered enough throughout their long careers.

Unlike the likes of Roy Jones Jr. and the late Arturo Gatti, these two are still capable of putting up an exciting fight of classic proportions. I don’t know about you but I’d rather go out in a bang than a whimper.