REMATCH BIG DEAL FOR EVERYONE.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL Boxing

The buzz surrounding the Oscar De La Hoya-Shane Mosley fight Saturday in Las Vegas seems to be inordinately loud.

The fight was sold out a month ago even after seats were added to the MGM Grand arena. At least 15,000 closed-circuit seats have been sold in Las Vegas, according to Marc Ratner, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Tickets that are $200 are selling for five, 10 times that on eBay.

And, the way things are going, don't be surprised if pay-per-view numbers exceed the magic 1 million.

``It's unbelievable,'' said Ratner, not prone to hyperbole. ``It's just as big in my mind as when Oscar fought Trinidad (in 1999).''

Why?

Ratner pointed to De La Hoya's career-defining performance against Fernando Vargas in September, when the Golden Boy wore down and then stopped his rival in the 11th round.

At 30, De La Hoya has never been bigger.

Others point to Saturday and say, ``How often do you see a matchup like this? A superstar defending his championship belts against a man who has already beaten him?''

Indeed, precious few fights rise to this level.

Another reason so many have bought into the fight are the stakes. And we're not talking money, although De La Hoya could make more than $20 million and Mosley as much as $9 million.

There's something more profound at stake here: survival.

De La Hoya said he'll retire if he loses, which sounds like rhetoric but could be the truth. His fans had better take a good look Saturday - they might never get another one.

De La Hoya's goal has been to avenge his losses to Trinidad and Mosley. Trinidad is retired and, if De La Hoya loses Saturday, a third fight with Mosley defies logic except for the money it would generate.

Beyond that, De La Hoya talked about a grand finale against an aging Bernard Hopkins, but that was predicated on the momentum he'd build by beating Mosley.

De La Hoya is putting everything he has into this fight, all his focus, all his energy, all his hopes. If he fails, it's difficult to imagine him finding the motivation to do it again.

He is genuinely passionate about his promotional firm, which seems to be gaining momentum. And undoubtedly he'd like to spend more time with his wife, Puerto Rican pop singer Millie Corretjer.

Yes, De La Hoya will miss the thrill of battle, but he also has a keen eye on the future and looks forward to what it might hold.

As long as he continues to win, he'll stick around for a year, maybe two before he walks away. If he loses, he will be tremendously disappointed but satisfied with his career.

When he was asked whether his relatively advanced age has served as motivation, he said, ``Not really. ... I feel now maybe I'll go to the Hall of Fame. I think I have that security.''

Jack Mosley, Shane's father and career-long trainer, has said repeatedly his son would remain an elite fighter no matter what happens Saturday.

That depends on what he means by elite.

Would he continue to command good paydays against big-name fighters? Sure. Would he remain among the sports biggest stars? Doubtful, unless he looks fantastic in defeat.

In fact, never has a major fighter needed a victory more than Mosley does now.

The Pomona resident last had his hand raised in victory more than two years ago. Since then, he's lost twice to Vernon Forrest (who ultimately lost twice to Ricardo Mayorga) and fought Raul Marquez in a fight declared no contest when Marquez was cut.

How many more times can Mosley come up empty and remain a top-tier attraction? The answer: none.

Talk about a winner-take-all situation. Whoever comes out on top Saturday will solidify his place among the sport's major players. The loser, even if he continues to fight, never again will be the star he once was.

--No go: Floyd Mayweather Sr., De La Hoya's talkative trainer, has spent the past few months saying everything and anything to get under Mosley's skin, including crude but sometimes amusing Ali-like poems.

However, it appears his efforts have failed. Mosley said last week he doesn't dislike Mayweather at all.

``I think he's funny,'' Mosley said. ``I think he bothers my father. Not me, though. He makes me laugh.''

Mayweather also had a confession this week.

``I have to tell you, I like Shane,'' he said. ``Shane is a nice guy. I'm just doing my job (throwing verbal jabs), that's what I do.''

--Hand update: Mayweather was asked whether De La Hoya had actually injured his tender left hand during training recently. No answer.

He was asked whether De La Hoya had missed any training or whether his training was altered because of the alleged hand injury.

``Uh, no, I don't recall him missing any training,'' said Mayweather, obviously unsure whether he should have said anything.

De La Hoya probably did tweak the oft-injured hand. He also probably blew it out of proportion intentionally to cause Mosley any aggravation or confusion he could.

--Cup O' Trouble: Watch a tape of the De La Hoya-Vargas fight and you'll hear referee Joe Cortez mention in the moment before the opening bell that De La Hoya's cup protector was too high but apparently did nothing about it.

The HBO broadcasters also mentioned it several times, going back and forth as to whether he had an advantage because the protector extended above his navel and high on the sides.

Gary Shaw, Mosley's promoter, was listening. He wrote a letter to the Nevada State Athletic Commission asking officials to look into the issue.

Ratner, the executive director, said no specific rule exists to indicate how high a protector can extend, but it will be discussed at the commission meeting today. He added it's too late to implement a rule change before the fight.

``We may have to put something in writing, to really make the rules perfectly clear,'' he said.

The commissioners also are scheduled to select the referee and judges during today's meeting.

--Coming to town: Mosley is scheduled to leave Big Bear this morning and arrive at the MGM about 2:30 p.m. De La Hoya, who also trains at Big Bear, is due in at 7:45 p.m.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Shane Mosley, right, and Oscar De La Hoya, left, square off Saturday in Las Vegas for the second time.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

Box:

COMING UP

- Michael Rosenthal