Oscar De La Hoya is a famous professional boxer. He is known all over the world for his looks, talent in the ring and his great sportsmanship. He is one of the best fighters in the field of boxing and a good role model for young children in the world today.
PERSONAL
Oscar De La Hoya lives and was born in East Los Angeles, California on February 4, 1973. His parents names are Joel, a former professional boxer from Durango, Mexico, and Dona Cecilia De La Hoya. His mother, Cecilia, passed away in her late thirties when breast cancer attacked her body. Oscar is the youngest boy in the family. He has an older brother name Joel, Jr., and a little sister name Maria. As a boy, Oscar never did like fighting or any physical sports. (Oscar, 1) He never looked like a type of person that would like those kind of things. Everytime he got into a fight with another kid, he always ran immediately to his house and cried. Don Joel, his father did not think much of it. For the fifth or sixth time, however, Don Joel started to believe that his son had a problem because, not fighting back when attacked was hardly a Mexican custom. So he decided that the best medicine for his disgrace, within the family, was to bring Oscar to visit a boxing gym. After all, Don Joel himself got the same medicine from his father, who had boxed in Mexico in the amateur ranks in the 1930’s. (Kawakami, 18)
BOXING CAREER
Oscar first saw boxing gloves when he was five years old. From then on he was a boxer all his life. He started winning awards and trophies when he was eleven years old. Oscar De La Hoya never went to college, he finished high school and focused all his energy on his boxing. As an amateur, De La Hoya spent the early mornings running through the streets of East Los Angeles to train. Oscar De La Hoya, also known as “Golden Boy”, first captured America’s hearts by becoming the only American boxer to win an Olympic Gold Medal at the 1992 summer games. Oscar got his nickname by publicist John Beyrooty introducing him with the name “Golden Boy” at a press conference. After a few months Oscar won America’s only gold medal. Oscar’s professional career hit the stratosphere in June 11, 1994. (Hoffer, 56) He sky-rocketed through the professional ranks becoming the undisputed, undefeated lightweight champion of the world in just his twenty fights. De La Hoya, earned $9 million dollars for the bout and preserved his position as boxing non–heavy weight superstar. The most stunning moment of his career was when Oscar hit the canvas in the first moment against Journeyman Narcisco Valenzuela on October 1993. Perhaps the cleanest, best punch of his career was when he fought Rafael Rueles and a knockout victory on the second round on May 6, 1995, in Las Vegas, Nevada. AWARDS In addition to his Olympic Gold Medals, his titles include the 1994 former World Boxing Championship welterweight championship and super lightweight champion. In 1995, he became the former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion and former World Boxing Organization lightweight champion. Oscar’s first professional fight was on November 23, 1992; He stopped Lamar Williams in the first round. One of his biggest fights was when he fought Julio Cesar Chavez and won on the fourth round on June 17, 1996. Oscar’s last fight was on September 18, 1999 and lost to Felix Trinidad by a twelve-round majority decision. Oscar is continuing even today, asking for a re-match. Oscar De La Hoya is renovating the 72-year-old gym where he trained all his life, into headquarter is a Youth Foundation, non-profit organization dedicated to sponsoring Olympic hopefuls and providing educational scholarships on a selected basis. It is also a tribute to his mother, Cecilia. Oscar is currently 26 years old and is one of the hottest stars in sports; His good looks made him one of People Magazine, most beautiful people in America.
