Oscar De La Hoya Announces Retirement from Boxing

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The "Golden Boy," boxer Oscar de la Hoya, announced his retirement today in a press conference held just yards away from the statue in his likeness that stands outside Staples Center.

Joined on stage by his wife Millie, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, his father Joel Sr., AEG CEO Tim Leiweke, and his business partner, Richard Schaefer, de la Hoya said that it was not fair to keep fighting when he could no longer perform at the level he was accustomed to.

De la Hoya ascended to boxing prominence after winning the lightweight gold medal in the 1992 Olympics, but the fighter's connection to this neighborhood runs deep. A Downtown charter school bears his name, and a Wilshire office building houses his Golden Boy Enterprises.

In 2003, the boxer donated money and land to Green Dot Charter Schools to start a high school that serves his home neighborhood in Boyle Heights.

Oscar de la Hoya Animo Charter High School has been located Downtown in the World Trade Center for the last four years, with students bused in from across the river. The school, which was recently honored as a California Distinguished School, is currently building a permanent facility in East L.A. on the land that de la Hoya donated.

In 2004, de la Hoya's bought a controlling interest in the 12-story office building at 626 Wilshire for $16 million. The building now serves as headquarters for the fighter's successful boxing promotion company.

De la Hoya's statue outside Staples Center was unveiled in December of last year. The boxer had one fight inside the facility, a 2000 split-decision loss to Shane Mosley, now a partner in Golden Boy Enterprises.