Capping a legendary boxing career that included 10 titles at six different weight divisions; a gold medal and dozens of championship fights, the “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this weekend in Canastota, NY.
De La Hoya, 41, went into the Hall of Fame as part of an All Star class that included rival Felix “Tito” Trinidad and undefeated Super Middleweight World Champion, Joe Calzaghe.
Hours before the official induction ceremony, De La Hoya announced a $50,000 donation to the International Boxing Hall of Fame to mark the landmark’s 25th anniversary.
De La Hoya touched on numerous topics during his speech including the familial nature of boxing, his legendary matches with a cadre of superstars and the future of the sport.
Here’s what De La Hoya had to say:
“Today marks an incredible personal achievement, but it is only the latest milestone that never would have been possible without my family, my friends and, most of all, my fans.
“Not only are all the legends of our sport honored inside the Hall of Fame, the people of Canastota are so knowledgeable and passionate about boxing, it was my pleasure to play a small part in maintaining the building and grounds in this wonderful part of the country.
“We must put aside the egos that have damaged our brand and sullied our reputation. We, the promoters, must stop carrying petty grudges that serve no purpose but to divide our sport. And most important, we must give the fans the fights that they want.”
