On a very warm summer day on August 19th, 2020, former gold medalist and world champion, Oscar De La Hoya, announced that he is returning to the ring after a 12 year lay off to fight once again at the age of 47. Oscar De La Hoya or as we now famously know him as ‘the golden boy’ after winning a gold medal in the 1992, yes you read that correctly, 1992 Olympics in Barcelona for team USA. From there the fighter from East Los Angeles began what was a hall of fame career in boxing.
It depends on who you ask, but they either love the golden boy or hate the golden boy, but we will get to that in a bit. He made his professional debut on November 23rd, 1992 scoring a first round knock-out victory. In just his twelfth professional fight he won his first world title at the age of 20 by stopping Jimmy Bredhal in the tenth round to win the WBO Super featherweight title. The love for him was astonishing and how could you not love a world champion, Olympic gold medalist, an american hero for the USA and a hero for the Latino community. At least, until he fought a true hero to Latinos everywhere Julio Cesar Chavez, undeniably the greatest Mexican Fighter. Remember when I wrote who could hate the golden boy? This is where it happens.
On June 7th, 1996 the match was set, Julio Cesar Chavez vs Oscar De La Hoya. The fight was deemed “ultimate glory” and as Julio Cesar Chavez made his way to the ring you could feel the love and respect from everyone in that arena. It was felt at this time because he was the Mexican superman who could do no wrong. Everyone loved him all the way up from the northern parts of California down to last town in Mexico. And then suddenly for the first time in Oscar’s career he heard a noise, a sound that he never thought he would hear, and that sound was the sound of people booing him. How could this have been? The man that everyone loved had now become the enemy.
The fight itself was one to forget, as after four rounds, De La Hoya secured his victory, but lost some fans that night as well. From then on he went on to have memorable fights with some really great fighters such as:
- FELIX TRINIDAD
- SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY (TWICE)
- FERNANDO VARGAS
- BERNARD HOPKINS
- RICARDO MAYORGA
- FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR
As fate would have it, on December 6th, 2008 this would be the last time the golden boy would step in the ring. He fought Manny Pacquiao and just like what had happened vs. Chavez twelve years earlier, Manny put the hurt on the golden boy and the fight stopped in the eight round. After the fight, Oscar went on to do a presser and was quoted, “My heart still wants to fight that’s for sure. But when your physical doesn’t respond what can you do? I have to be smart and make sure I think about my future plans.” Four months later, he announced his retirement on April 14th, 2009. Fast forward too today August 19th, 2020 as he vows to return to the ring. But as this sports fan and writer hears this, maybe he should listen to his own words. He has fought for ultimate glory and he will always have that, but at the age of 47 how much do you have left knowing that we all remember your last professional fight. Rocky Balboa was a great movie, but it was just that, a movie. Everyone has a right to chase their dream, but maybe he should just think about his future plans, one’s that do not involve pain and we can all remember him as the champion he once was.
Great article. Juan R
I was one of the many mexican fans that was sad seeing the best mexican boxer going down like that.
Monkey see, monkey do.
A page right out of the Maywhether handbook. When the stacks get low. It’s time to make that money at the people’s expense. Boxing isn’t what it used to be, circus and money making scheme. Not nearly as exciting as it once was.
Really look article,