Oscar De La Hoya Announces Retirement from Boxing
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
De la Hoya announces his retirement in a ceremony on the plaza at L.A. Live, across the street from Staples Center.
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.
Fabricio on April 14, 2009, at 04:02PM – #1
What's does Villaraigosa have to do with this?
News Review on April 14, 2009, at 04:03PM – #2
Although he may have announced his retirement, it is still good to know that he would still be involved in boxing.. He is great boxer and it would be a loss to the boxing industry if he will totally be not involved in the same.. He's still young to retire but we have to respect his decision.. He has reached the peak of his career retiring would not be a bad decision on his part... He has already established his legacy..
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on April 14, 2009, at 04:17PM – #3
Fabricio: They both grew up in East L.A. and are prominent Latinos. Also present was Mickey Rourke, who has even less of an obvious connection.
Oscar on April 15, 2009, at 12:05PM – #4
Why would he retire, I think he could make a great career out of being a bobber (is that the right word?), as he proved to be a great one at the last fight with Pacquiao...
Marco on April 15, 2009, at 01:53PM – #5
Retired or not, Oscar will always be a gay icon.
ChattyCAthy on April 16, 2009, at 08:08AM – #6
It is so sad that boxing is represented mostly by minorities where they get seduced into a sport that is violent, illegal in any other arena, and causes so much neurological trauma, where dementia, Parkinsons, and Alzeimers will haunt these boxers at an early age because of all the micro brain trauma that occurs with each blow to the head. SO, SO, SAD
Cart Before the Horse on April 16, 2009, at 11:07AM – #7
There is already some micro brain trauma at play before anyone elects to become a boxer so the progression appears to be a natural one.
Like being a cop.