Oscar De La Hoya has seen talent in front of him in the ring and from promoter’s row.
‘The Golden Boy’ was, at a point, the biggest box office star in boxing, winning world titles in six weight-classes and only losing to the very best of his era.
Even before he hung up the gloves he had one foot in the promotional game and threw all his weight behind it when retirement did come calling. Having helped build stars like Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez and Ryan Garcia, he certainly has an eye for talent.
Recently De La Hoya was in the running to sign a young superstar in Shakur Stevenson. Even if no deal is done, and they trade digs on social media every now and then, De La Hoya has the ultimate respect for the 27-year-old three-weight world champion.
That was clear during an interview with Club Shay Shay when the fighter-turned-promoter, during a discussion about fighters struggling to sell if they stuck to the strategy of hitting and not getting hit, said Shakur was the greatest fighter he has ever seen.
“I’ll give you a perfect example of a young fighter right now in that position – Shakur Stevenson. The greatest fighter I’ve ever seen. Beautiful style, great technique, has the punching power, has the chin, but he needs the confidence to fight. He has to believe in himself to put on a good show and sell seats. That’s the problem he’s having, he’s not selling seats. He’s a great fighter demanding all this money and fights are not being made.”
That is high praise indeed from a man who has been in the ring with both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Stevenson may have a chance to prove that, quite ironically, against a Golden Boy fighter next time out. He has been strongly linked with undefeated number one contender William Zepeda.
The slick fighter from Newark is currently 22-0 and WBC Lightweight World Champion. By Compubox numbers regarding the best fighters in the world, he gets hit the least per round.
