By Tom Donelson
This is not an article about Oscar De La Hoya as the boxer. It is about Oscar De La Hoya, the promoter. De La Hoya company “Golden Boy Promotion” is making inroads into the growing Hispanic market, the one demographic that for the moment is providing boxing with any growth at all as far as fan base. With the influx of Hispanic fighters both U.S. bred and from beyond the border populating this sport, De La Hoya is working on his career after boxing.
Oscar De La Hoya as a fighter has been protective of his image and legacy and while he has his share of critics, there is one thing that no one can deny- De La Hoya has fought the very best of his generation and accepted all challenges. He has risked his legacy and when he finally ceases to fight within the ring; we will truly know his status in boxing history.
I once compared De La Hoya to Jones in one respect. Whereas Jones has always been cautious in accepting challenges and taking risk within the ring; De La Hoya has pushed himself up the mountain to see, if indeed, he can conquer the highest peak. De La Hoya has never shown fear and his most recent challenge to wrestle the Middleweight title from Hopkins is just one example of the Golden boy competitive juices.
His promotion company is no difference. De La Hoya is striving to be the dominant promoter after he leaves the ring, the next generation Don King. One only has to see an evening of Boxero on HBO to see the De La Hoya vision in action. The cards features up and coming Hispanic fighters and the broadcasts are done entirely in Spanish. Even if you don’t understand Spanish, you certainly find yourself entranced by the rhythmic call by the announcers.
His cards are often entertaining and you can’t but help feel that somehow Oscar De La Hoya best years in boxing may yet occur after he retires. Love or hate him, De La Hoya is a rarity in boxing. He has his money, his looks, his brains and he has a plan for the future. Earlier this year, Antonio Tarver had to file for bankruptcy and this is after becoming the light heavyweight champion. For Tarver, his financial future is shaky if not bleak. He will always be fighting for someone else, whether it is the IRS or others. At the age of 35, he will be forced into fights that he may not win for paydays that may end up in others’ pockets. When his career is over, he may find himself no better than when he first turn pro.
De La Hoya will not face that future for he has shown wisdom in his financial affairs and he has prepared himself for life after boxing. Soon, future Tarvers will be looking to De La Hoya to manage their career.
