HBO
Oscar De La Hoya was born in Montebello, California in 1973 and is a 3rd technology boxer after his Mexican grandfather and father earlier than him have been each fighters in their very own proper.
Starting at a younger age, Oscar De La Hoya had over 2 hundred novice fights. The teen misplaced only a handful of bouts earlier than claiming the 1989 Nationwide Golden Gloves Bantamweight Title.
In 1991, he was U.S Newbie boxer of the 12 months. A 12 months later, he certified for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
De La Hoya duly returned to the U.S with the Gold medal round his neck and earned himself a nickname; ‘The Golden Boy.’
Inside two months, Oscar had his first skilled contest lined up. Losing no power, he knocked out Lamar Williams with just one minute forty-two seconds on the timekeeper’s clock.
De La Hoya adopted up his maiden victory with ten knockouts in his subsequent eleven bouts. In simply his twelfth struggle, most of them being at light-weight, he was provided the possibility to drop down a weight and struggle for his first world title.
Unbeaten fighter Jimmy Bredahl stood in his method of future. Bredahl was making his second protection of the WBO super-featherweight title he’d claimed two years beforehand.
The struggle befell on Oscar’s house soil in California on March fifth, 1994. In entrance of a cheering house crowd, De La Hoya out-boxed the Danish southpaw.
De La Hoya scored a tenth-round technical knockout and claimed the coveted belt at simply 21.
LAS VEGAS
De La Hoya would defend the title simply as soon as, two months later, within the metropolis which might finally change into his boxing house, Las Vegas. On the undercard of a Roy Jones Jr. title protection, De La Hoya shortly knocked out Giorgio Campanella.
After Campanella, he enhanced his weight. De La Hoya would then tackle Jorge Paez for the light-weight model of his WBO title.
4 months after claiming the super-featherweight model, he overwhelmed the skilled ex-featherweight ruler. De La Hoya picked up his second world title with a second-round KO.
Two knockout defenses adopted in 1994 earlier than De La Hoya simply out-pointed John Molina on the MGM Grand. This state of affairs led him right into a unification battle with IBF light-weight champion Rafael Ruelas.
At 24, Ruelas had a powerful 43 wins from his 44 contests. The Jalisco man was making the third protection of the title he took from Freddie Pendleton a 12 months earlier.
De La Hoya was once more at his ruthless greatest, knocking out Ruelas inside two rounds to say the third world title of his profession in solely his 18th struggle as knowledgeable.
At this level, the indicators of greatness have been already evident in De La Hoya. Even at a comparatively tender age. The entire of America had seemingly warmed to the younger skinny child with a vibrant smile and the film star’s attractiveness.
Persevering with his profession and sensing extra accolades, Oscar would instantly hand over the IBF model of his title. He would as an alternative make two defenses of his WBO Title in 1995. One was an unimaginable second-round knockout of Jesse James Leija at Madison Sq. Backyard.
CHAVEZ
A routine stoppage of Darryl Tyson in a February 1996 non-title contest caused a weight class leap: going face-to-face along with his childhood idol was on the playing cards. De La Hoya would battle WBC light-welterweight champion and all-around Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez at Caesars Palace in April.
Chavez was a Mexican nationwide hero, with just one loss in 98 bouts. To not point out Chavez had 5 world titles behind him and baggage of guile with plentiful expertise.
The 34-year-old famous person was alleged to be the hardest take a look at of De La Hoya’s profession.
De La Hoya got here into the ring with a Mexican flag on his shorts. However resulting from his 1992 Olympic Gold Medal for the USA, the Mexicans have been all for Chavez. Some even took it upon themselves to boo the brand new American idol.
Many individuals imagine the struggle ought to by no means have taken place within the first place stemming from Oscar’s personal double nationality connections. However it did, and De La Hoya got here out on high in a pulverizing four-round efficiency. Proving past doubt, he was on the peak of his powers. Chavez, in distinction, was possibly on the finish of his.
Oscar had an excessive amount of velocity and energy for the one-time ‘unbeatable’ Chavez. And after the physician took a take a look at his blood-stained face, referee Joe Cortez waved the struggle off to crown Oscar the winner. He added the WBC title at 140lbs to his rising belt assortment.
GONZALEZ
Miguel Angel Gonzalez was the following challenger to De La Hoya’s crown, because it occurred one other Mexican. Gonzalez was unbeaten in 41 contests and a former WBC light-weight title-holder.
Each weight Oscar moved up appeared to make him larger and stronger. The additional 5 kilos nearly added an additional layer of muscle to De La Hoya, which should have unnerved his opponents.
Gonzalez proved an actual demanding buyer, although. He took Oscar the gap for less than the second time in his profession, although the judges handed out a straightforward factors victory and a twenty third profession win.
WHITAKER
Oscar was taking over all comers by now, shifting up the weights once more to face among the best pound-for-pound fighters on this planet in 1997 – Pernell Whitaker.
Whitaker had solely misplaced as soon as in a contentious break up determination. ‘Candy Pea’ was additionally the primary man to cease Julio Cesar Chavez from profitable a struggle on the peak of his powers.
The American had additionally held some type of a world title for over eight years. Pre-fight predictions anticipated Whitaker to push De La Hoya all the best way.
One other robust twelve rounder ensued, though De La Hoya had matured a lot he may decide an opponent aside spherical by spherical. This enhancement enabled him to get factors within the bag, as he did with Whitaker when gaining a unanimous triumph.
Successful his fifth world title in a fourth totally different weight division, it was clear that the person was outstanding. He proved it once more simply two months later by knocking out David Kamau in two rounds. A person who had misplaced simply as soon as in 29 contests and by no means taken out.
Regardless of the weight, whoever the opponent, Oscar appeared to know a method round his challengers. He had the boxing mind, the abilities, and the devastating energy to go along with it. All this made for an outstandingly gifted fighter.
CHAVEZ II
By the again finish of 1997, De La Hoya appeared settled at welterweight. After the Kamau knockout, he made one other six defenses, beating a 35-year-old Hector Camacho and an unbeaten Ike Quartey. He adopted that up by defeating an over-the-hill Julio Cesar Chavez in an pointless rematch 4 years after their first assembly.
One 12 months on, De La Hoya had the chance so as to add a sixth world title to his haul in opposition to undefeated knockout specialist Felix Trinidad on the Mandalay Bay On line casino in Las Vegas.
It was the largest pay-per-view occasion for a non-heavyweight contest on the time. After twelve pulsating rounds, Trinidad took a majority determination to inflict De La Hoya’s first skilled defeat in his seven-year profession.
Followers clambered for a rematch between the 2 fighters. However after a five-month break, Oscar selected a warm-up bout first. Simply defeating Derrell Colley (34-1-2) for the lowly regarded IBA welterweight title through a seventh-round KO, De La Hoya was as soon as once more prepared for Trinidad. It sadly wasn’t meant to be.
Earlier than De La Hoya’s victory over Colley, Trinidad had shockingly determined to maneuver as much as light-middleweight to problem David Reid for his WBA Title, scuppering any likelihood of a extremely anticipated rematch between the pair.
Oscar agreed on a cope with undefeated former IBF light-weight champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley in a welterweight super-fight for the WBC title.
Whether or not the Trinidad loss had affected his confidence or the preparation wasn’t correct are each hypothetical theories for the result. Oscar shockingly misplaced for the second time – once more on factors.
GATTI
De La Hoya moved on. He’d already battled the rugged Arturo Gatti earlier than the Mosley contest went forward. Each units of followers needed to see the struggle no matter title involvement.
Oscar went forward with the Gatti encounter planning a transfer as much as light-middleweight instantly afterward.
On account of holding an excessive amount of general brute power for the previous super-featherweight champion, De La Hoya beat an out-of-depth Gatti through a fifth-round TKO.
It was Gatti’s penultimate struggle earlier than his legacy-sealing trilogy with Mickey Ward.
Round this time, Oscar determined to have a look at a profession exterior of boxing and introduced the formation of ‘Golden Boy Promotions.’ A enterprise the place he would now promote his fights together with different boxers. To take a number of the slack, he enlisted the assistance of Richard Schaefer as his right-hand man and CEO.
True to his phrase after the Gatti struggle, Oscar moved as much as light-middleweight to problem Javier Castillejo for the WBC title in June 2001. As soon as once more, De La Hoya discovered a house on the MGM Grand. Dominating the Spaniard to take his title, a now 28 year-old De La Hoya received by a landslide factors margin for an additional strap.
It meant a seventh world title in 5 weight divisions was within the bag for the Golden Boy.
VARGAS
De La Hoya would now face an previous novice foe for his subsequent problem as a unification struggle with WBA Champion Fernando Vargas was in talks.
Their rivalry dated again years, and although De La Hoya had initially mentioned he wouldn’t struggle Vargas, he lastly signed the contract for early 2002.
Nicknamed ‘Unhealthy Blood,’ the title mentioned all of it. However the rivalry would solely intensify as Vargas obtained compelled to drag out of the primary scheduled assembly with a hand harm. The postponement meant that by the point the struggle went forward in September 2002, Oscar hadn’t fought since June 2001.
The times of Oscar dominating his opponents had now gone. ‘The Golden Boy’ had discovered his stage, and any champion over 147lbs can be a stern take a look at for him. Vargas didn’t disappoint, taking Oscar lengthy earlier than succumbing to his energy within the eleventh spherical.
An eighth world title for De La Hoya was a unbelievable achievement. After the struggle, even a Vargas optimistic medication take a look at couldn’t take the shine off Oscar’s achievement.
Eight months later, he would return to the ring. Oscar knocked out an growing old Luis Ramon Campos in Could 2003. It was then a rematch with one in all solely two males to have defeated him.
MOSLEY II
Shane Mosley II obtained penciled in for September 2003 on the MGM Grand.
De La Hoya had an ideal 6-0 document when combating on the MGM Grand and was assured of avenging his defeat to ‘Sugar’ Shane three years earlier.
Despite the fact that De La Hoya threw extra punches than Mosley, it was as soon as once more his boogeyman opponent who got here out on high. Within the course of, Mosley took the WBC light-middleweight title with him.
Oscar instantly moved as much as middleweight, 31 and one quarter kilos heavier than his first world title victory. Focusing his consideration on the unbeaten WBO middleweight champion Felix Sturm. The German obtained checked out as one of many weakest of the 160lb champions.
With a recreation plan in thoughts, although, De La Hoya hoped for a money-spinning super-fight with unified champion Bernard ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins. On the time, Hopkins was the pound-for-pound king after an astonishing run at middleweight.
Oscar knew he’d want a title to make the struggle occur as ‘B-Hop’ held three middleweight belts (WBC, IBF, and WBA). Focusing on Sturm’s WBO Title was the proper tactic to safe a Pay-Per-View blockbuster.
Making De La Hoya look aged and wilted at occasions, Sturm pushed the multi-weight ruler because the pre-fight favourite struggled to out-work the hungrier champion.
In controversial circumstances, De La Hoya in some way obtained the choice. Within the course of, he picked up Sturm’s crown. Judges noticed it 115-113 on all three playing cards in favor of Oscar, whereas most journalists at ringside had Sturm profitable the struggle.
HOPKINS
If considerably contentiously, Oscar’s ninth world title in six weight divisions hit the document books. A mega match-up with Hopkins was then capable of be penciled in for September 2004, simply three months later.
Hopkins was an enormous, sturdy middleweight. Due to this fact, the bout obtained agreed at a catch-weight of 156lbs.
As regular, the MGM Grand hosted as De La Hoya headed again to the scene of his notorious defeat to Mosley twelve months earlier than.
Curiosity within the struggle was immense. Each opponents stood to earn a staggering $30 million on the night time. With an array of Hollywood stars ringside, lots of of hundreds of thousands of individuals watched on TV.
SIZE
Many individuals noticed Hopkins’ measurement benefit because the deciding issue. It proved to be the case as De La Hoya took a physique shot within the ninth spherical, ending his unification hopes after a fairly one-sided battle.
Reassessing his state of affairs, Oscar took nearly two years out of the ring in what proved to be a semi-retirement. He then signed on to struggle Ricardo Mayorga in an try to win again the WBC light-middleweight belt he held between 2001 and 2003.
Mayorga confirmed De La Hoya a whole lack of respect within the build-up to what finally turned out to be a full-blown grudge match. The bout befell in Could 2006. With insults about his spouse ringing if his ears, Oscar pounded Mayorga to the ground within the first spherical. He completed off the Nicaraguan with a sixth-round onslaught.
The win for Oscar meant a rare tenth world title in six totally different weight divisions. It was merely including yet another layer of gloss to an already intensive legacy for the Olympic champion.
MAYWEATHER
Oscar would enjoy his victory for round 9 months earlier than a assured Floyd Mayweather Jr. determined to maneuver up from welterweight and problem him.
Accepting the supply, De La Hoya appeared reverse Mayweather in a conflict branded ‘The World Awaits.’ The PPV befell on Could fifth, 2007.
It might be yet one more struggle in opposition to a person thought of the perfect pound-for-pound fighter. De La Hoya rolled again the years at occasions in a powerful displaying. In the end, he would come up quick in opposition to the undefeated ‘Fairly Boy’ – shedding on a break up determination regardless of urgent Mayweather for the whole twelve rounds.
One other nine-month absence adopted earlier than the lure of the ring had him again in coaching. A collision with blown-up super-featherweight Steve ‘2 kilos’ Forbes hit the desk at a catch-weight of 150lbs.
The struggle was a extremely winnable affair that might result in one thing larger.
There was no title on the road, however Oscar fully out-classed the smaller Forbes to take a unanimous determination. He received practically each spherical on all three judges’ scorecards.
PACQUIAO
It might be a great warm-up struggle to construct confidence again up. WBC light-weight champion Manny Pacquiao was mendacity in wait simply across the nook.
Pacquiao v De La Hoya was secured for December 2008. A non-title struggle at catch-weight of 145lbs.
Many individuals doubted whether or not De La Hoya nonetheless had the instruments to go along with his need at 35. As Pacquiao had moved up from flyweight over 9 years, some thought Oscar’s energy may nonetheless be a telling issue.
Pacquiao confirmed unbelievable power on the night time. ‘Pacman’ cemented himself as one of many pound-for-pound greatest on this planet by stopping Oscar on his stool within the eighth spherical. It was a dominant win for Pacquiao, and the writing was on the wall for De La Hoya from that time.
Wanting like a shadow of his former self, De La Hoya was bodily taken aside by the Filipino boxer, a five-weight world champion. Pacquiao was on the peak of his powers, whereas Oscar was on the finish of the street.
After profitable ten world titles in six totally different weights, Oscar De La Hoya formally retired from skilled boxing on April 14th, 2009.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA TITLES
World Boxing Group super-featherweight champion (1994)
WBO light-weight champion (1994-1995)
Worldwide Boxing Federation light-weight champion (1995)
World Boxing Council light-welterweight champion (1996-1997)
WBC welterweight champion (1997-2000)
WBC light-middleweight champion (2001-2003)
World Boxing Affiliation light-middleweight champion (2002-2003)
WBO middleweight champion (2004)
WBC light-middleweight champion (2006-2007)
*IBA not counted
To this present day, Oscar’s firm, Golden Boy Promotions, stays a big participant in boxing.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing information expertise. Observe WBN us on Twitter @WorldBoxingNews.
