By Jack Dutton: Retired boxing legend Oscar “The Golden Boy” De La Hoya, who thwarted champions the likes of Julio Caesar Chavez and Arturo Gatti in the ring, now squares up to his latest opponent: drugs & drink in the squared circle of an addiction rehabilitation centre. Stating, “I recognize that there are certain issues that I need to work on.
Like everyone, I have my flaws, and I do not want to be one of those people that is afraid to admit and address those flaws” De La Hoya, founder of ‘Golden Boy promotions’, entered the clinic in mid-May. However, new posts written by the man himself, published on the website ‘Twitter’, shed some new light on the controversial situation – and with references to rival promoter Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao, there may be hints that De La Hoya’s actions after he leaves his process of rehabilitation could bring fresh hope to the prospect of a super-fight between ‘Pacman’ (53-3-2) and Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather (41-0-0).
Tweeting from Malibu, California rehab facility, De La Hoya addresses the message to Bob Arum himself, emphasizing his willingness to “humbly apologize for any pain I have caused to you and or your family”. In addition, the retired ten-time world champion wanted “to apologize to Manny Pacquiao for any wrong doing in my part. You are a great champion”. Although it is unclear as to what “mistakes” De La Hoya is referring to, it could be he is making reference to the comments he made regarding his suspicion of Pacquiao’s use of performance enhancing drugs, of which De La Hoya is currently in the middle of a libel suit for.
However, it is the “Golden Boy’s” final statements which adds to the air of mystery surrounding the tweet, possibly instigating that he played too much of a regrettable part in stalling the negotiations that nearly led to the signing of the forever desired bout between the Filipino boxing champion and the undefeated Floyd Mayweather. He states that he wishes to become more committed to “The sport we dearly love” by ensuring that from now on they “put on the best fights possible” as part of their duty to “the fans”. Surely, De La Hoya is referring to the fight we as an audience are pleading to the boxing community to organize? Is this reformed boxing promoter now dedicated to ensuring the new bout of the century and the saviour of the sport? Or is the decision resting ultimately in the hands of Mr Mayweather?
One can only hope that Oscar De La Hoya’s words are sincere. Surely boxing fans have already endured too much hardship at the hands of insincere boxing promoters. Only time will tell.
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