By Matthew Thomas Potter: Oscar De La Hoya’s legacy is fundamentally about two things. Firstly it’s about sporting achievement and excellence. Ten world titles at six different weights and a resume that reads like a who’s who of the boxing A-list is an epic and unparalleled achievement in the sport.
It’s easy for those fans with short memories to discredit De La Hoya, to question his heart and his motivation because of the part-time and badly faded fighter he became in the twilight of his career. But the important thing to remember is that De La Hoya’s star power shone brightest at a time when he was well past his absolute prime.
During the mid to late 1990’s De La Hoya was a brutish, yet highly effective, fighter who was not short on skill and who dominated and destroyed everyone who happened to be put in front of him. He never fought an opponent with a losing record. He never ducked anyone and he proved his fighting heart on numerous occasions…
In their 2nd fight after much residual disrespect directed at Oscar, he chose to abandon his usual fluid style and instead he chose go toe to toe in the middle of ring with Julio Cesar Chavez in a bid to earn the Mexican legends respect.
When the scorecards looked uncertain going into the 12th round of his fight with Ike Quartey, Oscar went on an all out blistering attack that won that fight and proved that he had what took to win, and that he was willing to leave everything in the ring.
‘Ferocious’ Fernando Vargas, being the naturally bigger and stronger man, was able to bully Oscar early on in their contest in 2002. But Oscar once again showed the kind of fighter, and the kind of man, he was by refusing to accept what seemed like an inevitable defeat. Oscar discovered his boxing maturity that night. He used his right hand effectively for the first time, he countered beautifully, he moved majestically and he out-boxed and outclassed a rugged brawler, to finally earn a late knock out victory in what should be considered his absolute careers best performance.
Even a decade past his absolute prime, Oscar still managed to give the Pound-for-Pound king a hell of a tough fight, and only lost after a split decision.
Oscar is often accused of losing all his big fights. There is no doubt that numerous controversial decisions have coloured his career both for better and worse. He found a way to win against Quartey and Whitaker. He got a dubious decision against Felix Sturm and was highly unlucky to not earn the judges favour in his career defining fights with Felix Trinidad and Shane Mosley.
However, Oscar beat numerous champions and contenders, and the losses on his record are all easily explained away as coming at a point when he was past prime, at an unfamiliar weight, or when the judges simply choose to award the wrong man with a coveted victory.
While his achievements inside the ring are notably epic, Oscar will perhaps be remembered for his influence, impact and legacy within the business of the sport itself. Oscar is biggest box office draw in the history of boxing. He has sold more Pay Per Views that any other fighter, including Mike Tyson. He has promoted the biggest event in boxing history with ‘The World Awaits’ and he is the CEO of the highly lucrative Golden Boy brand which has many branches in business, sport and charitable enterprises.
Oscar’s good looks and intelligence combined with his diligence and hard work have helped to attract the attention of the media and the wider public at a time when boxing was suffering from various detractors and ailments. He brought the media spotlight back onto the boxing world. He was a salesman for the sport and his salesmanship kept the cash flowing in when many people were cashing out.
Oscar remains one of the most recognisable sportsmen in the world. He is an inspiration for millions people. His charisma and marketability have attracted a new generation of fans. In essence, with the decline of the heavyweight division, and the lack of any other real crossover mainstream stars, De La Hoya has carried boxing on his back when there was virtually no one else to lighten the load.
It is easy to dislike Oscar. His good looks, his perfect family, his successful career and his enormous wealth are always going to be factors in attracting jealous detractors. However, every boxing fan owes The Golden Boy a debt of gratitude. It’s understandable to dislike the man, but it is unforgivable not to respect him.
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