Mayorga’s goal: Send Mosley to retirement

The 35-year-old Mayorga would like another shot at Oscar De La Hoya.

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Ricardo Mayorga says it’s time for Shane Mosley to retire. He plans to make that happen tonight when the former world champions meet in a 12-round junior middleweight bout at The Home Depot Center.

“I would have to say he’s one of my easier opponents,” Mayorga said through a translator. “He was great at one point. His speed is not the same anymore. He’s a shadow of his former self. I came to this fight to win. I came to this fight to retire him, make him a homemaker.

“Once he stands and fights, the fight’s over. He’s going to be fighting with his laundry at home [after the bout]. I’m going to be fighting for a world title.”

Both fighters would love a title shot, and that could happen for the winner. But both have other goals as well.

“I’m not worried about the title right now,” said the 37-year-old Mosley, a four-time former world champion from nearby Pomona. “Just the bigger fights, that’s all, so people will know I’m one of the best fighters of this era.”

The 35-year-old Mayorga, a three-time former world champion from Nicaragua, would like a second shot at Oscar De La Hoya, although that appears unlikely.

“Don’t let him deceive the boxing fans,” Mayorga said. “Let him retire fighting a true super welterweight or middleweight. How’s he going to retire fighting a featherweight? After I beat up his dad [Mosley], who beat him twice, I want another opportunity.”

De La Hoya is scheduled to meet Manny Pacquiao Dec. 6 in what he says will be his final fight.

Mosley, 44-5 with 37 knockouts, hasn’t fought since losing a close but unanimous 12-round decision to Miguel Cotto for the WBA welterweight championship at Madison Square Garden 101‚Ñ2 months ago. Mosley won his previous five fights — two over Fernando Vargas — and has beaten De La Hoya twice.

Mayorga, 28-6-1, has been idle since scoring a majority 12-round decision over Vargas 10 months ago. That was his first outing in more than 18 months; he was stopped by De La Hoya in the sixth round of their WBC junior middleweight title bout on May 6, 2006.