De la Hoya vs. Hatton? Cortez will be third man in ring, and the weather is in the eye of the bolder…. By GEORGE WILLIS

LAS VEGAS–Informal talks are under way on a proposed fight between Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton at London’s Wembley Stadium next year, regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s fight between Hatton and Floyd Mayweather.

De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions is serving as Hatton’s promoter for Saturday’s bout and de la Hoya has been a frequent visitor to Hatton’s training camp. The proposed bout could draw a crowd of up to 80,000.

“The chances are very strong,” Hatton’s lawyer Gareth Williams told the British press. “We have strong links with Oscar de la Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions and we’ve had discussions with them.”

De La Hoya has said he wants to fight twice in 2008, in May and September. “It isn’t out of the question that I’ll meet Ricky Hatton next year,” De La Hoya said recently.

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Mr. “I’m firm, but I’m fair” will referee Saturday night’s mega-fight. Veteran Joe Cortez will oversee the bout and both camps are pleased with the selection. Cortez worked Hatton’s four-round victory over Jose Louis Castillo last summer and though Cortez frequently warned both fighters for holding, he allowed Hatton’s to continually pressure Castillo, something he plans to do against Mayweather. “I know Floyd’s going to complain to the referee,” said Hatton’s trainer Billy Graham, “but he should remember that the rule is that you have to protect yourself at all times.”

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It’s cloudy in Las Vegas and with temperatures in the 50s, the locales are wearing jackets and complaining about how cold it is. Meanwhile, the Brits in town for the fight think the weather is down right balmy. Short pants and pale legs are everywhere….Word is David Beckham will be at the fight and the Tom Jones Show will delay its start on Saturday night so he can attend the fight…Mayweather canceled a training session on Monday, prompting wild speculation the fight might be off because of a hand injury. Mayweather doused the rumors saying, “my hands feel great. There will be no excuses.”