Oscar De La Hoya is 48 years old and regarded as one of the best boxers of his generation. The Mexican-American boxer won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics and went on to win professional titles in six weight classes.
The Golden Boy boxing promoter is now preparing to show off his boxing ability after 13 years away from the ring. His comeback fight will happen on September 11 against MMA veteran Vitor Belfort.
The boxing match with De La Hoya will become the second professional boxing match on the Belfort resume. But De La Hoya warns anyone who thinks the fight is a gimmick that they should think again.
Initial reports announced the De La Hoya-Belfort matchup as an exhibition fight. But De La Hoya makes it clear that he has no interest in fighting exhibitions.
“I have never been in a boring fight whatsoever,” De La Hoya explains why he will only participate in officially sanctioned fights. “I go out there and fight.”
The adversity faced by De La Hoya during his life after boxing has been well-chronicled. But the Golden Boy promoter says he is in a much better place now. He credits his newfound peace with motivating him to step into the ring again.
Oscar De La Hoya says he fought many years for family, fans, and other reasons. “I`m finally fighting for myself,” He says when discussing the next chapter in his boxing career.
De La Hoya plans to make a full-time return to the sport he mastered as a younger man. I will do what is necessary to “take myself to the next level,” De La Hoya promises. He also says he is ready for the “toughest challenges” of his life.
Two names that come up when De La Hoya discusses his comeback are Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez. The former champion is already saying yes to either of those fight opportunities.