HAMBURG, Germany -- Oscar de la Hoya will fight Felix Sturm
for the WBO middleweight title June 5.
Christoph Rybarczyk, spokesman for Sturm promoter Universum
studios, said Friday the bout would happen but a venue has not been
selected. HBO has agreed to televise the fight.
De La Hoya, who has won titles in five other weight classes,
could add one in the middleweight division against Sturm (20-0,
nine knockouts).
"The fight is perfect," Rybarczyk said.
De la Hoya wants to fight Bernhard Hopkins later this year,
which is expected to be one of the most lucrative bouts outside of
the heavyweight division of all time.
Universum has canceled Sturm's title defense against American
Kingsley Ikeke on March 6 in order to take the de la Hoya fight.
Sturm is relatively unknown even in Germany, having just won his
title Sept. 13 against Hector Velazco.
"He's my idol, I've seen so many fights from him on video,"
Sturm said of de la Hoya. "But I won't freeze up in awe against
him."
De La Hoya hasn't fought since losing his 154-pound title to
Shane Mosley last September. He has won titles in all major boxing
organizations including the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO.