Oscar De La Hoya, the popular boxer who has grossed more dollars for the sport than any other fighter before him, retired on Tuesday at the age of 36.
De La Hoya’s career started way back in 1992. Over the course of his career he accumulated a 39-6 record (including 30 knockouts), 10 world titles in six different weight classes and an Olympic gold medal in the ‘92 Games.
However, his fighting prowess began to deteriorate over the last few years. For proof, look no further than his losses to heavy-hitters like Felix Trinidad, Bernard Hopkins and Shane Mosley.
De La Hoya did beat Ricardo Mayorga for his last title in 2006, although he did lose his last title bout to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007. His skills had simply just diminished toward the end of his 16 year stint in the ring. That said, De La Hoya was gracious when he announced he was hanging up his gloves for good.
“This is the love of my life, boxing is my passion, boxing is what I was born to do,” De La Hoya said to fans who’d assembled at an outdoor plaza across from Staples Center in Los Angeles. “When I can’t do it anymore, when I can’t compete at the highest level, it’s not fair. It’s not fair to me, it’s not fair to the fans, it’s not fair to nobody.”
Just as Michael Jordan lamented on the realization that he will never play pro basketball anymore during his Hall of Fame induction speech, so did De La Hoya during his retirement address. Always a classy fighter and role model for both whites and Latinos alike, De La Hoya found it difficult to step away from the sport he admires so dearly.
“Now I understand why athletes have such a tough time retiring from something that you feel so passionate about, from your sport that you’re always thinking you can try one more time,” he said.
De La Hoya has had plans to become a promoter for some time, and now he can make such aspirations a reality. He already has a company in place, Golden Boy Promotions, in which he promotes up and coming fighters and gives back to communities in need.
Our Take
Not only was Oscar De La Hoya a fierce competitor in the ring, but he was also a fan-favorite for whites, Latinos and women. His fights always drew enormous ratings and huge audiences, a testament to his dedication as a boxer and also to his astonishingly good looks (according to the females who enjoyed watching him).
He should also be remembered for his charitable donations, such as donating funds for a new hospital wing in memory of his late mother. He also funded money for schools in downtown Los Angeles which bear his name. It has been a long road for the one and only Golden Boy, but he knew his time was coming. He just did not realize how hard it would actually be.
More College News
College credit card debt highest in over a decade
