BOXING:Oscar De La Hoya has predicted he will roll back the years to prove he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world when he faces the challenge of the undefeated Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas tomorrow with De La Hoya's WBC world light-middleweight title at stake.

The 34-year-old 1992 Olympic gold medallist has been boxing's biggest draw outside the heavyweight division for more than a decade, and the fight is predicted to generate more than $100 million, outstripping the profits of Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson's contests a decade ago.

"It just feels and it seems that much bigger than any other fight I have been involved with. This is what boxing is all about," De La Hoya said after the final press conference, where he predicted that he would knock out Mayweather, who has never been beaten as a professional.

"Don't be surprised if I'm faster than Mayweather. I don't see this fight going the distance," said De La Hoya. "I've never been this focused and this motivated in my life. This is the fight of my life. I will prove that I am still the best pound-for-pound fighter.

"We are ready for this fight. Floyd Mayweather is always in good shape and we are expecting the best of the best. Having Freddie Roach in my corner I believe will make a difference."

Roach, who learned his trade alongside the revered Eddie Futch, is now rated by many as the outstanding coach in the US: his other star pupil is the brilliant Filipino Manny Pacquiao.

He was hired by De La Hoya when his regular trainer, Mayweather's father Floyd Sr, priced himself out of the job by demanding $2 million to prepare the "Golden Boy" to face his son.

De La Hoya is the co-promoter of the event, along with the US television network HBO, and showed he is quickly learning the psychological ploys and stunts employed to upset an opposition camp. He made great play of inviting Floyd Sr to be his guest at the fight after Mayweather had made it clear his father was not welcome at his training sessions.

The 30-year-old Mayweather, who has sought to bad-mouth De La Hoya at every opportunity in recent weeks, was in more respectful mood, saying: "I am here. I know what it takes. I am hungry and I am willing to die on May 5th. I am looking forward to giving the fans excitement. You will see the best Floyd Mayweather."

Black-market ticket prices for ringside seats at the event are reported to be changing hands for $15,000. Most of the city's major casinos are cashing in by putting on their own closed-circuit television coverage of the contest.