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OSCAR DE LA HOYA announced his retirement from boxing this week — and no one can argue with the amount of money he generated for himself, and the sport.
But, despite winning world titles at six different weights and his massive box-office appeal, for me De La Hoya will go down as a good fighter — but not an all-time great.
He started with Bob Arum after winning Olympic gold at Barcelona in 1992, and owes much of his success to the fantastic job the Hall of Fame promoter did for him early on.
Arum tapped into De La Hoya’s popularity with the Hispanic market in the States but also helped generate a crossover appeal. When the pair split, Oscar was in prime position to really cash in.
His 19 PPV fights on HBO generated an astonishing £470million. But, while the Golden Boy was Mr Box Office, he doesn’t compare in terms of quality to Hagler, Hearns, Duran and Leonard.
Had he boxed when they were around, he would have struggled.
De La Hoya, 36, lost too many big fights to be a legend. In his last 14 contests, he was 8-6, and in his last seven he won only three.
Although he only lost to the best — Floyd Mayweather, Felix Trinidad, Manny Pacquiao, Bernard Hopkins and Shane Mosley — great fighters find a way of turning potential “Ls” into “Ws”.
Perhaps De La Hoya’s greatest achievement is retaining his squeaky-clean image right until the end of his career, despite a reputation for being a party animal and fathering five children by four different women.
Fortunately, he’s got out with plenty of money. And, while he probably went on a fight or two longer than he should have, his health as well.
What an idiot. Oscar was a great fighter. Next Warren will be telling us Calzaghe is greater than DLH.
Troy Dorsey(Former champ)
Jorge Paez (Former champ)
John John Molina (Former champ)
Rafael Ruelas (Former champ)
Genaro Hernandez (Former champ)
Jesse James Leija 1 (Former champ)
Julio Cesar Chavez 2x (Former champ)
Hector Camacho (Former champ)
Miguel Angel Gonzalez (Former champ)
Arturo Gatti (Former champ)
Shane Mosley (He beat Mosley 2nd time. Mosley is a current champ)
Javier Castillejo (Former champ)
Fernando Vargas (Former champ)
Luis Ramon Campas (Former champ)
Ricardo Mayorga (Former champ)
Steve Forbes (Former champ)
Jimmi Bredahl (Former champ)
Felix Trinidad (lots of controversy about whether he won this fight)
Oba Carr (excellent slick little fighter that underachieved)
David Kamau (I believe he should of got the decision over JJC)
But, despite winning world titles at six different weights and his massive box-office appeal, for me De La Hoya will go down as a good fighter — but not an all-time great.
He started with Bob Arum after winning Olympic gold at Barcelona in 1992, and owes much of his success to the fantastic job the Hall of Fame promoter did for him early on.
Arum tapped into De La Hoya’s popularity with the Hispanic market in the States but also helped generate a crossover appeal. When the pair split, Oscar was in prime position to really cash in.
His 19 PPV fights on HBO generated an astonishing £470million. But, while the Golden Boy was Mr Box Office, he doesn’t compare in terms of quality to Hagler, Hearns, Duran and Leonard.
Had he boxed when they were around, he would have struggled.
De La Hoya, 36, lost too many big fights to be a legend. In his last 14 contests, he was 8-6, and in his last seven he won only three.
Although he only lost to the best — Floyd Mayweather, Felix Trinidad, Manny Pacquiao, Bernard Hopkins and Shane Mosley — great fighters find a way of turning potential “Ls” into “Ws”.
Perhaps De La Hoya’s greatest achievement is retaining his squeaky-clean image right until the end of his career, despite a reputation for being a party animal and fathering five children by four different women.
Fortunately, he’s got out with plenty of money. And, while he probably went on a fight or two longer than he should have, his health as well.
What an idiot. Oscar was a great fighter. Next Warren will be telling us Calzaghe is greater than DLH.
Troy Dorsey(Former champ)
Jorge Paez (Former champ)
John John Molina (Former champ)
Rafael Ruelas (Former champ)
Genaro Hernandez (Former champ)
Jesse James Leija 1 (Former champ)
Julio Cesar Chavez 2x (Former champ)
Hector Camacho (Former champ)
Miguel Angel Gonzalez (Former champ)
Arturo Gatti (Former champ)
Shane Mosley (He beat Mosley 2nd time. Mosley is a current champ)
Javier Castillejo (Former champ)
Fernando Vargas (Former champ)
Luis Ramon Campas (Former champ)
Ricardo Mayorga (Former champ)
Steve Forbes (Former champ)
Jimmi Bredahl (Former champ)
Felix Trinidad (lots of controversy about whether he won this fight)
Oba Carr (excellent slick little fighter that underachieved)
David Kamau (I believe he should of got the decision over JJC)
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