Oscar De La Hoya faced a who’s who of talent during his record-breaking campaign.
De La Hoya carved his name into boxing history by becoming the first fighter to win world titles in six different weight divisions. Prior to turning pro, he built an amateur record of 223 wins with 153 knockouts before capturing Olympic gold in 1992.
He also set the pay-per-view sales record for a boxer with nearly $700 million in revenue, underscoring his status as one of the sport’s biggest attractions.
With wins over Julio Cesar Chavez, Ike Quartey and Pernell Whitaker, ‘The Golden Boy’ was at one stage considered the best in the world. He would only be defeated by top operators, including Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather and, in his final bout, Manny Pacquiao.
Speaking to the Ring Magazine when all was said and done, it was that last fight that left the biggest impression on De La Hoya in terms of talent. When asked to name the best he faced, it was Pacquiao without hesitation.
“I would have to say Pacquiao. I think his determination, his conditioning, his skill, his power, speed, footwork … he’s one of the fighters I most appreciated. Mayweather-Pacquiao would have been a lot different (if they’d fought) in their primes. Pacquiao would have beat [Mayweather] easy, absolutely.”
Pacquiao – who stopped De La Hoya inside eight rounds – rose from humble beginnings in the Philippines to become the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight weight divisions, cementing his place as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Known for his explosive speed and power, he also became a global icon outside the ring, serving as a senator in his home country and headlining blockbuster fights that broke pay-per-view records.
