On May 5, as the promotional strap line goes. 'The World Awaits'  when two of boxing’s stellar names clash to cement their legacies. Oscar De La Hoya, the 'Golden Boy', the darling of the pay-per-view networks, meets 'Pretty Boy' Floyd Mayweather, generally regarded as the man to beat. Both are multi-weight world champions in their own right.

At 30, Mayweather steps up to light-middleweight for a fifth world title - notably, all of which are the prestigious WBC variety. Yet, despite being in his prime, he is adamant that this fight will be his last. In his own words, he has nothing else to prove.

Perhaps he is right. It is a refreshing change when a boxer quits at the height of his achievements. However, pugilists of the ring rarely stick to such statements. Many struggle to compete with the loss of the boxing lifestyle, the training, the commitment, the vigilant routine needed to be the best. Yet, Mayweather has never come across as somebody encapsulated within the sport. It always seems to be just a job to him, and a highly paid one at that. Sometimes, it’s as if he only fights to massage his colossal ego. Maybe, he really will step back and keep his legacy unblemished.

And what a legacy it is. A scarce few can claim to have climbed the ranks, via various world titles shot and remain unbeaten at the very top of their game. Mayweather surely is a legend in the making, but he still has his critics.

Mayweather has rarely endeared himself to boxing fans, with a nickname indicative of his fighting style, barely a scar on his face, technically superb but not the most exciting to watch. Since dominating the likes of Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo five years ago, there are those that accuse Mayweather of ducking the big names in favour of fights that suit him more.

Recent scalps such as Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah and Carlos Manuel Baldomir, not (arguably) the best men in their respective divisions, but world champions all the same. Even De La Hoya is seen as past his best, and again the shrewd 'Pretty Boy' is the bookies’ favourite to take another world title. However, this fight is different, this scalp would really stand out.

De La Hoya is a man that Mayweather would do well to emulate, even if he would not admit it. To be honest, it would be an impressive feat to match Oscar’s achievements.

De La Hoya is a six-weight world champion with an impressive array of opponents on his victory roll - Julio Cesar Chavez, Shane Mosley, Felix Trinidad, Pernell Whittaker; all fighters at the top of their trade and equally remembered for years to come. His company, Golden Boy Promotions, is also at the top of the tree and raking in the megabucks. The latter, promoting bouts, is something that Mayweather is adamant he will concentrate on after the match up with De La Hoya.

From both a legacy standpoint and a promotional one, it is almost crucial that Mayweather wins this match-up. Indeed, if he does, and really hangs his gloves up for good, he can class himself up there with the titans of boxing, even if the critics believe otherwise.

Can De La Hoya alter that Pretty Face? We want to hear your views at Sportingo.