Oscar De La Hoya believes a current unbeaten champion could go down as the greatest fighter of all time later this year.
The legendary fighter-turned-promoter had an exceptional professional career of his own, which began a short while after he walked away from the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona with a Gold Medal.
He would go on to win world titles in six weight classes throughout his tenure, picking up victories against a number of generational greats such as Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, Hector Camacho, Fernando Vargas and Arturo Gatti.
De La Hoya called time on his career after he suffered defeat in his final bout against Manny Pacquiao in 2008, moving his focus onto promoting fighters under the Golden Boy Promotions banner which has produced an abundance of world champions.
In an interview with Brian Mazique, ‘The Golden Boy’ spoke fondly of the unbeaten Terence Crawford, claiming that the 37-year-old could cement himself as the ‘greatest of all time’ should he come out on top against Canelo Alvarez in September.
“If Crawford can do it, Jesus Lord, I mean give this man the title of being the greatest ever … but I just don’t see it. Canelo is a big puncher. Yeah, he walks on quicksand and that’s one thing that Crawford can use against him, but the pressure of the heavier guy…
“Canelo will be 200 pounds in that ring. It’s a tough fight but, look, I give all the credit to Crawford. If he pulls it off he’ll be the messiah of fighters.”
‘Bud’ faces Mexican superstar Canelo at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday September 13, as he bids to become the first male fighter in boxing history to win an undisputed championship in three divisions.
