Boxing’s 'Golden Boy' Retires
Oscar De La Hoya, boxing’s Golden Boy, is hanging up his gloves after a career that included 10 world titles in six divisions.
I've come to the conclusion that it's over," De La Hoya announced at an outdoor plaza across the street from Staples Center, where a statue of the 36-year-old fighter stands.
The East Los Angeles native was severely beaten in December by Manny Pacquiao, his fourth loss in his last seven fights.
It's over inside the ring for me," he said.
The last time De La Hoya beat a respectable opponent, it was Fernando Vargas in 2002. In more recent years, he was defeated by Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather Jr. He obtained his last title after whipping Ricardo Mayorga in six rounds in May 2006 for the WBC light middleweight belt. He finished with a record of 39-6 and 30 knockouts.
This is the love of my life, boxing is my passion, boxing is what I was born to do," De La Hoya said. "When I can't do it anymore, when I can't compete at the highest level, it's not fair. It's not fair to me, it's not fair to the fans, it's not fair to nobody.