NOTEBOOK: JOKES SERVE AS JABS.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Assistant Sports Editor 

LAS VEGAS - Shane Mosley and Co. are holding Oscar De La Hoya to his word after De La Hoya said he'd retire if he loses Saturday.

Mosley's promoter, Gary Shaw, obviously trying get a rise out of his client's opponent, had a placard-sized American Association of Retired Persons membership card - effective Sept. 13, 2003 - and presented it to the champion at Wednesday's news conference.

Shaw then handed Bob Arum, De La Hoya's promoter, a similar bank-deposit slip filled out for $500,000, the amount of bonus money Mosley will earn if he wins.

Clever, but unnecessary. De La Hoya doesn't seem to need prodding; he's seriously considering retirement, win or lose.

``The only thing I can say is I'm still 30,'' said De La Hoya, who more than once promised he won't fight beyond that age. ``I gotta be smart about (retirement). I have to walk away on top. I won't have to come back because of money or because I have something to prove.

``The only problem is I love the sport. It'll be hard to walk away. The key for me is to stay involved in boxing, and I will with my promotional firm (Golden Boy Promotions).''

De La Hoya's wife, singer Millie Corretjer, isn't particularly fond of boxing but won't push her husband into retirement. She respects his passion for his craft.

However, she worries about his health and would like to see him walk away soon and focus on building their family and his business interests.

``He's my husband, my life,'' she said. ``It's horrible to think what he's put himself through the past 25 years. Almost every day, he's had a punch to his body. All I want is for him to be safe, healthy, so we can live our lives together.

``I want him to be able to spend time with our babies when he's older, to enjoy the rest of his life.''

De La Hoya understands the dangers.

``I was reading that for football players, one hit takes three days off their lives. For me, (punches will) take off like eight years,'' he said laughing.

Millie wasn't laughing.

--That's entertainment: Floyd Mayweather served up one of his crude but amusing poems that poke fun at Mosley at the news conference.

Mosley, who said Mayweather makes him laugh in spite of the lack of respect, responded by placing a coin in Mayweather's water glass as someone might do for a street performer, and everyone laughed.

Sometimes Mayweather goes too far. For example, he called hefty promoter Gary Shaw ``fat boy.'' However, De La Hoya said Mayweather's antics serve a purpose beyond provoking the opponent.

``He helps keep our camp relaxed,'' he said.

--Hand update: De La Hoya said his oft-injured left hand, which was bruised a few weeks ago in camp, is ``100 percent.''

Anthony Garcia, De La Hoya's physical therapist, said the fighter sparred six hard rounds early in the week and felt no pain.

``It won't be a factor,'' Garcia said.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Shane Mosley, right, presents 30-year-old Oscar De La Hoya, left, with a sign joking about De La Hoya's possible retirement. Mosley, who decisioned De La Hoya three years ago, will fight him again Saturday in Las Vegas for the junior middleweight title.

Joe Cavaretta/Associated Press