Boxing: De La Hoya: A Challenge Like No Other

When Oscar De La Hoya faces undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 18 on HBO Pay-Per-View, in his own words it will be the ultimate test for him. "It will be a challenge like no other," he says. The 31 year-old De La Hoya knows exactly what he is up against and that is the same reason why he believes he can win. The challenge of raising his own performance and bringing out his best.

"It is a dangerous fight," he admits. "It is a risky fight. But these types of challenges at this point I need to elevate me to the next level. I have been proving it over and over and over again in the gym. Training as hard as I can to beat this guy and I am going to beat this guy. I feel in my mind and in my heart that I have worked hard enough to do what it takes to take the titles away."