De La Hoya lost a split 12-round decision to Mayweather in a record-setting pay-per-view event in 2007. “For one thing, youth is on his side,” De La Hoya said of the 23-year-old Canelo, who hails from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He really took notice when Mayweather fought De La Hoya in 2007.Who was he rooting for in that match? He said he will lean on De La Hoya to get information on what makes Mayweather uncomfortable in the ring. De La Hoya, who had a good strategy against Mayweather, said he will keep repeating three letters to Canelo – J-A-B.