California Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez and State Senator Kevin de León today honored Olympic gold medalist and 10-time world champion boxer Oscar De La Hoya for his many accomplishments in boxing and business, and contributions to the California community. Assembly Speaker Emeritus Pérez and Senator de León recognized De La Hoya from the senate and assembly floors during a presentation at the California State Capitol.
“I am pleased to join my colleagues in honoring Oscar De La Hoya for his many contributions to the sport of boxing, and for being a strong example of what can happen when one works hard to succeed, regardless of their background,” said Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles). “We are proud to celebrate his accomplishments, especially his recent induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, as well as an athlete, businessman, community leader, Latino and Californian.”
“Oscar De La Hoya is an incredible athlete who has never forgotten where he came from,” said Sen. Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles). “He has given back so much to the community in East Los Angeles, and his continued success following his athletic career serves as an inspiration for all Californians.”
De La Hoya thanked his family, friends, fans, and community in brief remarks from the California State Senate and Assembly floors following the recognition presentation.
“I’m honored to receive this recognition in my home state of California,” De La Hoya said during the presentation. “I’m proud to represent my hometown of East Los Angeles today. I wouldn’t be standing here without the continued support of my family, friends, mentors, and amazing fans.”
De La Hoya, known as “The Golden Boy,” was born to Mexican immigrants in Montebello, California. Raised in a family that included amateur and professional boxers, he began boxing at the age of six. De La Hoya is one of the most popular and talented athletes in the history of boxing, having won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics at 17 years old and 10 world titles in six different weight classes. He was inducted in to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 8, 2014 in Canastota, NY as part of an All Star class that included rival Felix “Tito” Trinidad and undefeated Super Middleweight World Champion, Joe Calzaghe.
De La Hoya invested back in his community of East Los Angeles following his success in the ring. In 1995 the Oscar De La Hoya Foundation was created to bring a better quality of life to thousands of people in East Los Angeles. The Foundation supports the Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School, and the Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center and Oscar De La Hoya Children’s Medical Center at White Memorial Medical Center. The Foundation also supports numerous after-school programs that guide young people toward leading positive lives and away from gang violence, juvenile delinquency, and substance abuse.
In addition to boxing, De La Hoya is an accomplished businessman and singer. He established Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions in 2002 and became the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. In 2000, he released his first album, in English and Spanish, which topped Latin dance charts and had a single, ‘Ven a Mi,’ that was nominated for a GRAMMY award.
