Oscar De La Hoya Claims He Can KO Conor McGregor 'In 2 Rounds'

Boxing Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya claims he would knockout UFC star Conor McGregor in just two rounds.

About two decades ago, De La Hoya was one of the most relentless boxers in the world. His powerful jab and unique movement made him a difficult opponent. Today, De La Hoya is already 47 years old and hasn’t stepped inside the ring since Manny Pacquiao dominated him in their welterweight fight in 2008. However, the Olympic gold medalist has teased about making a comeback every now and then. And everytime De La Hoya talks about a comeback, he often mentions a world champion. Some of the biggest names he has dropped in the past were Gennady Golovkin and Floyd Mayweather.

And now, “The Golden Boy” predicted how he would match against former UFC champ McGregor. In a recent appearance on CBS Sports' State of Combat podcast (via Boxing Scene), De La Hoya said it would take him “two rounds” for him to floor the MMA star.

According to the legend, he’s a fan of McGregor inside the octagon. However, he insisted that boxing is whole different story than MMA.

“Oh, come on, brother! Two rounds. Because one thing about me, one thing about me, I went for the kill always. And look, Conor McGregor is – I love him in The Octagon. I respect him. I watch him all the time. But the boxing ring is a whole different story. It’s a whole different story,” De La Hoya pointed out.

This wasn’t the first time De La Hoya criticized McGregor. Shortly after the Irish fighter TKO’d Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in his UFC return, De La Hoya addressed the issue about McGregor wanting another shot at pro boxing. The Golden Boy promotions boss sent his short but important message to McGregor and advised him to “stay on his own lane.”

And as for the possible outcome of the Pacquiao vs. McGregor boxing match, De La Hoya thinks that McGregor can really do great in MMA but boxing against “Pac-Man” will not be different from the Mayweather fight.

“It’s a huge money fight. Why not? But in my opinion is just stay in your own lane,” De La Hoya said of Pacquiao vs. McGregor boxing match.

“If Conor steps in the ring with Pacquiao? I don’t know, I mean Conor looked great. He actually did against ‘Cowboy,’ but in the boxing ring, Pacquiao will beat him,” De La Hoya added.