What's your overall thought on Oscar De La Hoya?

I've never met Oscar de la Hoya and I've never read his book. It's easy to see the dude had amazing skills and was blessed with some natural talent. But I think most of his ring failures had to do with whatever was going on in his head. The media spotlight at such a young age from the Olympics on, made him very popular right out the gate, but I also believe it made him think of himself as a product as well as a fighter (it makes sense he started a promotion company). Of course, it's great that he's made money for himself and his family, and didn't get ripped off like countless others, but taking big (dangerous) fights and actually performing to your greatest ability are two different things. I think the fame and the glamour has always been the stronger appeal for Oscar, but he's not dumb. He knew he had to be at the top of his game to step into a boxing ring. And, again, he wouldn't have made it this far if he didn't have skills. I know there was a time when I thought Oscar was trying to protect his "matinee idol" looks because he ended up taking time to go make a crappy album (plus, he actually has a good chin, so it seems like he could have battled more). But then again, he had skills to block a lot of punches with his hands and arms rather than his face. But it always made me wonder if protecting his looks was something he thought about (of course, every fighter is gonna want to protect himself at all times, but that's not what I mean... what I mean is if he took less chances in the ring so as not to screw up his face too bad). I won't even get into the whole fishnet thing (mainly because I don't know what the hell that was about and wearing women's lingerie doesn't automatically mean you can't fight, no homo). For me, it became apparent that Oscar has been thinking of the end of his career more so like a fairytale than an actual boxing career. Instead of concentrating on the actual fight with Pac, I think he was too busy thinking about all the storylines and how history would record his way out. Yeah, Nacho has experience against Pac/Freddy, but I think DLH picked him because Nacho is a legend in Mexico and DLH has always wanted love from the Mexican fans. He also had Dundee around for historical significance. I also think Oscar listened to the critics too much and the talk about him bullying a smaller man might have gotten to him. My theory is he didn't bulk up for the night of the fight because he wanted to be on "even" grounds with Pac in terms of weight so nobody could criticize him for being 12 pounds heavier. "The Golden Boy" was trying to look good and he paid the price. Regardless of how his career ended up, Oscar de la Hoya will always be a great ambassador for the sport. I think it's great that he's a successful business man and admire him for looking out for fellow boxers like Hopkins and Mosley. And to recap my long-ass lecture, I think (again) that DLH had some great skills.

Oscar is no where near ATG status I don't even consider him as a extremely good fighter. It is arguable that he lost to every non shot elite fighter he ever faced, and that includes an old slower Whitaker on cocaine. Oscar IMO is overrated as a fighter, but he is a very gifted promoter.

It's called taking risks, if he wanted to, I'm pretty sure he could of retired undefeated like other boxers. he would have been 39-0 if he never fought hopkins pacquiao mayweather mosley trinidad

If he isn't an ATG, neither is Tito. As for the thread, yes he is an ATG, just cause he lost some big fights, people judge him for that. Name me a 5-6 division champ that isn't an ATG?? Yeah I just said he wasnt an ATG lol. I guess it depends what you want to mean as ATG. No doubt history will remember him amongst the best so I mean yeah he is an ATG as far as history is concerned and as far as his fame is concerned. Though head to head he is not that great in the all time welter ratings.

I didnt get into boxing until 2000 or so, so I missed the 130-140lb stuff. As a welter was good but no ATG really. His career was a bit like Holyfelds heavyweight career, fought almost every name there was but didnt always win. I dont see him being able to hang with the fab 4 of the 80s. Well not that he would get KTFO but I dont see him beating any of them. He was the 90s-2000s version of SRL in terms of marketability but no where near in terms of skill.

Hall Of Famer wins over mosley trinidad chavez X2 whitaker vargas mayorga quartey camacho gatti only people he didnt fight were probably vernon and winky......and one rich mofo banging a hot PR chick

The only reason is was so popular was because he was the first Mexican fighter that spoke english, was marketable and was "good looking". Other than that, he fixed fights, lost every big fight, and treats boxing as his personal play ground.

an enigma.

was a great boxer but hurting his legacy everytime he steps in the ring now

How many gift decisions has he gotten? Strum Whitaker Ike Johnn Molina was a gift decision too

Great elite fighter... with the skills he had, could've been atg.

i think of him like mike tyson. a great fighter who acheived a lot but who should of achieved much more

He will be remembered as the guy who always fell short during big fights.. bur hats off to him for taking all new comers and always fighting the best, win or lose. he has the huevos to fight the best which he can lure because of how big his name is.

too easy, of course, yea he got some gifts, but what fighter has'nt, he's also been robbed like everyone else. it won't be long after he retires, that he will be inducted, garenteed.

Dude at his best was a warrior who fought all comers win or lose. He brought in a bunch of $ and won mad titles. I lost some respect for him over the Pac thing, but he's a gr8 fighter.

How many gift decisions has he gotten? Strum Whitaker Ike Yeah, sadly. He's the only fighter to get gift decisions.

get laid dude, youre obsessed.... What are you talking about? Obsessed with what? I have no problem getting any. Unlike most on here, I don't need to be some internet tough guy and brag about shit. It's a boxing forum. That's how I look at it. I come here to talk and read about boxing. The people who come on here, like yourself, and act all hard ass saying shit that doesn't have anything to do with what the thread is about are the real losers. Do you honestly feel tough saying the kind of shit to me? You know what? Never mind. I'm done wasting my time.

get laid dude, youre obsessed....

at the lighter weights he was very, very good.

Do you rate him as an ATG? Do you rate him as a great fighter who lost his biggest fights? What do you guys think about him? When you look back at his entire career, how do you think he'll be remembered? dlh is good but not great