Oscar De La Hoya, the retired American boxer and celebrated promoter, is a multi-faceted figure whose career and personal life offer a rich and complex story. Known as the “Golden Boy,” De La Hoya captured the public’s imagination with his exceptional skills and charisma, winning world championships in six different weight classes. However, his journey extends beyond the ring, encompassing triumphs and challenges that continue to intrigue fans and critics alike.
Oscar De La Hoya Today: ‘The Golden Boy’ Documentary
Oscar De La Hoya’s life and career are explored in-depth in the two-part HBO documentary “The Golden Boy,” which aired on July 24 and 25. The documentary provides an intimate look at De La Hoya’s rise to boxing fame, his personal struggles, and his enduring impact on the sport.
Who Is Oscar De La Hoya?
De La Hoya emerged as one of boxing’s most successful and popular figures, amassing ten world titles across six weight classes. Starting his boxing career early, he achieved international fame by winning a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics at just 19 years old. His professional career, marked by significant pay-per-view earnings, culminated in his retirement in 2009. Beyond his prowess in the ring, De La Hoya founded Golden Boy Promotions in 2002, a company that has promoted some of the most significant fights in boxing history.
Early Life and Career
Born on February 4, 1973, in Montebello, Los Angeles, California, De La Hoya was raised in a family with a strong boxing heritage. His grandfather and father were both fighters, setting the stage for his early introduction to the sport at age six. De La Hoya idolized Sugar Ray Leonard and quickly rose through the ranks, winning the national Junior Olympic 119-pound title at 15, followed by the 125-pound title the next year. His mother, Cecilia, who passed away from cancer in 1990, inspired him to pursue an Olympic gold medal, which he won in Barcelona in 1992.
Despite his professional success, De La Hoya’s personal life has been fraught with difficulties. He revealed in a 2021 interview that he was raped at 13 and suffered physical abuse from his mother during childhood.
Rise to International Stardom
De La Hoya turned professional after his Olympic success, quickly making a name for himself. He won his first professional title in 1994, the junior lightweight championship of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), and continued to collect titles across various weight classes. His victory over Julio Cesar Chavez in 1996 and Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whittaker in 1997 solidified his reputation as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
Challenges and Setbacks
Not all was golden in De La Hoya’s career. His first professional loss came against Felix Trinidad in 1999, followed by another defeat to “Sugar” Shane Mosley in 2000, prompting a temporary hiatus from boxing. He returned with notable victories but also faced challenges, such as a loss to Bernard Hopkins in 2004 and another to Manny Pacquiao in 2008, the latter marking his final professional bout.
Life Outside the Ring
De La Hoya’s appeal extended beyond boxing. He became a cultural icon, admired for his charity work and community service, including establishing a youth boxing center in East Los Angeles. He also ventured into music, releasing an album that topped Latin dance charts. As a promoter, his Golden Boy Promotions continues to influence the sport, managing numerous champion fighters.
Personal Life and Controversies
De La Hoya’s personal life has been marked by high-profile relationships and controversies. He has been married and has children from multiple relationships, including a contentious separation from Shanna Moakler and marriage to singer Millie Corretjer. His candid admissions about his struggles with substance abuse, mental health issues, and allegations of sexual misconduct have added layers to his public persona.
In recent years, De La Hoya considered a comeback, announcing in 2021 plans to fight in an exhibition match. However, after contracting COVID-19, he withdrew and later decided against returning to the ring, focusing instead on his promotional work.
Oscar De La Hoya’s Net Worth
With a net worth estimated at $200 million, much of De La Hoya’s wealth comes from his successful post-boxing career as a promoter and investor. His life story, from the triumphs in the ring to his off-ring challenges, continues to captivate audiences and spark discussion, ensuring his place as one of the most intriguing figures in the sport’s history.