Oscar De La Hoya (born February 4, 1973) is a Mexican-American boxer who won the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.
He was, much like Ernie Gonzalez also, the United States top Olympic boxing hope when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. On her death bed she made him promise he'd win the gold, and he did. Sadly, she passed away at 35.
De La Hoya signed for 1 million dollars with promoter Bob Arum and went on to win 5 world titles and beat former and current world champions like Troy Dorsey (KO 1), Jimmy Bredahl, (KO 10), Jorge Paez, (KO 2), Genaro Hernandez (KO 6), John John Molina (Split Decision win 12), Rafael Ruelas (KO 2), Julio Cesar Chavez (KO 4, KO 8), Miguel Angel Gonzalez (Unanimous Decision win 12), Jesse James Leija (KO 2), Pernell Whitaker (SD win 12), Hector 'Macho' Camacho (UD win 12), Ike Quartey (SD win 12), Arturo Gatti (KO 5), Francisco Javier Castillejos (UD win 12) and Fernando Vargas (KO 11). |
