Oscar De La Hoya

Biography

Oscar De La Hoya (born February 4, 1973) is an American boxing promoter and former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2008. He won 11 world titles in six weight classes, including the lineal championship in three weight classes.

As an amateur, De La Hoya won a gold medal in the lightweight division at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He turned professional later that year and won his first world title, the WBO super featherweight championship, in 1994.

De La Hoya went on to capture the WBO lightweight title in 1994, the IBF lightweight title in 1995, the WBC light welterweight title in 1996, and the WBC welterweight title in 1997. He also defeated Julio César Chávez twice, in 1996 and 1998.

In 1999, De La Hoya faced Félix Trinidad in a highly anticipated welterweight unification bout, losing by majority decision. He later captured the WBC and lineal light middleweight titles in 2001.

De La Hoya moved up to middleweight in 2004, controversially winning the WBO title against Felix Sturm before losing to Bernard Hopkins by ninth-round knockout later that year.

De La Hoya had notable fights against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in his later career, losing both bouts. He retired in 2009 with a professional record of 39 wins (30 by knockout), six losses, and 0 draws.

De La Hoya founded Golden Boy Promotions in 2002 and has promoted many top boxers, including Canelo Álvarez and Ryan Garcia. He has also ventured into MMA promotion.

Throughout his career, De La Hoya generated approximately $700 million in pay-per-view revenue, making him one of the most commercially successful boxers in history. He was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine in 1995 and was ranked as their top pound-for-pound boxer in 1997 and 1998.