WWE and the world of boxing are no strangers.
For decades the sports entertainment giant has worked with some of the most famous fighters in the world. Mike Tyson famously appeared on WWE television in the lead-up to WrestleMania 14, and served as a special guest enforcer at the event, counting the pin as Steve Austin won the World Title.
Floyd Mayweather Jr actually competed at WrestleMania 24 taking on the Big Show, while in more recent years Tyson fury has appeared on WWE television on numerous occasions. The Heavyweight Champion stepped into the ring at Crown Jewel in 2019.
However, Bruce Prichard has now revealed that there was one boxing superstar who got away. Speaking on his Something to Wrestle With podcast which looked back at No Way Out 2008, where Mayweather kickstarted his rivalry with the Big Show, Prichard recalled WWE making numerous pitches to Oscar De La Hoya.
As an amateur, Del La Hoya was a Golden Gloves champion and Olympic gold medal winner. After turning professional in November 1992, the star won 31 consecutive bouts and established himself as one of the best fighters on the planet. By the time he retired in 2008, De La Hoya held a record of 39-6, having won 11-World Titles across six weight classes. The “Golden Boy” was named Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year in 1995 and topped their best pound-for-pound list in 1996 and 1997.
During his career, De La Hoya fought many of the legends of his era, including Bernard Hopkins, Pernell Whitaker, and Mayweather Jr.
Prichard explained that WWE made pitches to De La Hoya “all the time,” but he decided to stay in boxing where he was more comfortable.
“God, you know, I can go back to the late 90s, mid to late 90s, Oscar (De La Hoya) was another one that we’d pitch all the time. Friend of the company (WWE), friend of the business and great businessman, great guy, holy sh*t and it just never really worked out. I don’t think Oscar really had the same passion to make that jump into the wrestling business. I think that he was like, hey man, I know my comfort area, I know my comfort zone.”
Mike Tyson Would Choose WWE Over AEW
In more recent years, Mike Tyson has appeared numerous times in AEW, although he might not be heading back there any time soon. Speaking on a recent episode of his podcast, Tyson outlined his gratitude to WWE and said he would always choose to work for them over AEW, even if the latter offered to pay him more money.
H/t to POST Wrestling