AND THE OSCAR GOES TO . . . OSCAR.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer

Coming soon, to a theater near you: "The Oscar De La Hoya Story," starring Oscar De La Hoya.

No kidding.

De La Hoya, one of boxing's biggest stars, will be entering into an alien realm of stardom when he portrays himself in a movie about his life, producer Edgar J. Scherick said.

Scherick, who produced the made-for-TV film "Tyson," said the De La Hoya movie will be made for theatrical release.

De La Hoya, 23, said he expects to take a year off from boxing after a scheduled bout against Julio Cesar Chavez on June 7 to devote time to his second career.

"We think his personal story is very interesting, to come from nowhere to where he is now," Scherick said. "It's not just an Hispanic story, it's an American story."

But De La Hoya playing himself? After all, he has no acting experience whatsoever.

He seems to be unfazed by the prospect.

"I'm not nervous at all about it," he said. "I love being in front of the camera. I'm really looking forward to it for a lot of reasons.

"I think it's a great story, a great family movie. Kids from all over can see the example I set, that even though you might have tough times like my mother passing away you can still make it.

"I think it could be a very positive message about what working hard can do for you."

Scherick also is convinced the fighter can pull it off.

"Look at Oscar De La Hoya: He's a good-looking young man and he's highly personable," he said. "Who could do it better than he can? I don't think he'd even try this if he didn't think he could do it.

"We think he can do it."

The project is in its early stages.

Scherick has yet to determine who will write the screenplay, when filming might begin or the title of the movie.

He doesn't expect to begin making serious plans until after the Chavez fight. (De La Hoya must defeat Darryl Tyson and Chavez must beat Scott Walker on Friday in Las Vegas or the June 7 bout would be off.)

"I have no idea about the timing yet," Scherick said. "We're still in the very beginning of this."

De La Hoya has said over the past year that the whirlwind pace and unnerving pressure of his boxing career has begun to wear him out.

He's looking forward to a break and doesn't believe it will have an adverse effect on his future in boxing.

"It's going to give me some time off from boxing to try to focus on a different career," he said. "I'll be able to catch up on my personal life a little bit, maybe do some commercials and other things.

"I don't think it will hurt me (in terms of boxing). I'll still be working out, still training. I just won't have any fights."