Oscar de la Hoya interview
http://doghouseboxing.com/duran/coyote_080206.htm
Stop what you’re doing and pick a genre. Any genre. Go ahead. It’s up to you which one you want. Then tack on the term, ‘Living Legend.’
Sometimes overused, often apropos, when you think ‘Living Legend’, the mind automatically seeks out a name and scrawls it on a mental blackboard. Tennis? Billie Jean King or Andre Agassi. Cooking? Wolfgang Puck or Emeril Lagasse. Comic book art? Alex Ross. Needlepoint?…………..OK, sue me. I don’t know that one.
When you think of boxing’s ‘Living Legends’, you can’t deny what WBC Super Welterweight titlist Oscar De La Hoya has done or meant for Our Sport. Olympic gold medal in 1992. Title belts in six weight classes. Undeniable mainstream appeal. Top notch fights. Killer drawing power. The power of promotion, self or otherwise. You’re either gonna love him or hate him. Odds are, your opinions are probably borne from De La Hoya’s successes.
Now nearing the sunset of his competitive career, De La Hoya, 38-4 (30), has even more to consider regarding the direction of his ongoing professional journey. Prosper as a promoter who chooses to explore the frontiers of innovation and originality by aligning himself with like-minded fighters who wish to take back the sport or sign one more contract for that one last hurrah?
Why not both? But trust that the latter will very likely be the epilogue in a brilliant tome of fight history.
And who better to sign copies of that figurative book than its own author, Oscar De La Hoya? Who knows? While I’m standing here in line, maybe I can think of some cool questions to ask him before I approach the table, copy clutched in a death grip.
OK, fine. It’s an interview. It’s not my fault that I’ve gotta explain my rants of imagination to you.
And so it went. Easy going and very candid, Oscar would invite Doghouse Boxing for a long chat and didn’t disappoint. ‘The Golden Boy’ touched on everything from his goals as a promoter to his feelings on sanctioning bodies to the welterweight division to……ahem……..Antonio Margarito.
And possibly facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a career finale showdown.
So, read on, Howlers, and consider this: We’ve all got questions for Oscar De La Hoya. Whether or not you’ll be satisfied with his answers (if your questions were covered in this interview) is all about you. I think mine were.
And if you can figure out who the hell the ‘Living Legend’ of needlepoint is, let me know. I’m curious that way.
Coyote Duran: When you made your professional debut, did you ever think, almost 14 or so years later, that life would be so fantastic and positively varied for you?
Oscar De La Hoya: I never imagined that it would be at this level. I always had dreams and aspirations of becoming something in boxing whether it was being famous or making money but never at this level.
Coyote Duran: Does playing the promotional field, for you, give you kind of a different point of view or an insight on things you might have never recognized solely as a fighter?
Oscar De La Hoya: Absolutely. You know, being a promoter now, it’s kind of like, opening the door and finding out and finding out what really is inside the house, so to speak. You know, a fighter doesn’t know what’s going on when it comes to how to promote a fight and where the money comes from and now that I’ve been a promoter for four years, I’ve learned the insights of how this boxing world really works! And one of the main reasons why I turned promoter is to educate the fighter and little by little, with my company, we can hopefully educate the fighters and the way they handle their careers.
Coyote Duran: No promotional firm in boxing history ever boasted a virtual ‘murderer’s row’ of top executives like Golden Boy Promotions. Was asking the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley and Marco Antonio Barrera kind of a thinly veiled way to thumb your nose at other promoters who take advantage of their fighters while reforming from deep within the sport?
Oscar De La Hoya: Well, what we’re doing is empowering the fighter. You know, it’s kind of like when United Artists was formed. Charlie Chaplin got together with the rest of the actors (Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith and Mary Pickford, to be exact.) and formed United Artists. This is the way we work. We’re empowering the fighter because, ultimately, it’s the fighter that makes the sport and when we joined forces with Hopkins, with Winky Wright, with Shane Mosley, with Marco Antonio Barrera, you have these high-profile names which probably are the biggest names now in boxing and we’re telling the world of boxing, “Hey, come join us!” because not only are we making everyone happy who’s with us, at the same time, we’re educating the fighters and making sure they have life after boxing.
Coyote Duran: How else can a young fighter benefit by signing with Golden Boy outside of having that empowerment? What else makes Golden Boy stand out among the other entities like Top Rank and Don King Productions?
Oscar De La Hoya: Honesty. I’m a fighter. Bernard’s a fighter. Winky’s a fighter. Shane Mosley’s a fighter. Barrera’s a fighter. So we all understand what fighters go through. I mean, Don King wasn’t a fighter. Bob Arum wasn’t a fighter. They don’t know what it’s like to live that life and when I say we take care of the fighter, we’re honest with them. We’re truthful with them. We lay everything on the table. We tell ‘em the way it is. I really mean that! When I talk to a young fighter, it’s like seeing myself across that table. Because these young fighters work so hard to get where they wanna be and, ultimately, that’s to win a world title and, obviously, get some money at the same time. I know what it takes to get there and now, as a promoter, I know I can do it for them. So, it’s a matter of being a team and a team is like a marriage. The fighter is our partner. We make sure that the partner is happy.
Coyote Duran: Through good and bad, I gather.
Oscar De La Hoya: Absolutely! You do have your good times and your bad times in boxing, but in Golden Boy Promotions, you have more good times than bad.
Coyote Duran: You mentioned, of course, joining up with Winky Wright. In working with Winky, who approached whom first with the union in mind?
Oscar De La Hoya: Well, it was mutual. You know, we bring something to the table and, obviously, Winky Wright brings something to the table. Here I saw Winky Wright forming his own company and I said to myself, “My gosh! We have to applaud this great fighter for doing what he wants to do. He wants to take the same road that I’m taking.” We did go out there and extend our help, so to speak. We wanna help him form his company. We wanna guide him on how to do it. He really appreciates that and at the same time, we’re working together. We can promote his fights, obviously, along with Winky Wright Promotions, and move forward.
Coyote Duran: In taking these strides toward trying to improve the sport as a fighter as a fighter who’s been there and done everything in the ring, now that you’re on the other side of the desk part of the time, if you had all of the power to change the sport where every participant could be happy and prosperous, first and foremost, fighters, what would you do first that you haven’t already done?
Oscar De La Hoya: I think you have to deal with the organizational bodies. I think, right now, the Number One concern why we’re losing our fan base or why it’s at a halt, so to speak, is people are so confused as to who is the real champion (in any weight class). We have, I believe the last time I counted, was nine or ten organizational bodies and it’s getting to a point where people are getting drawn away from the sport because they’re just confused! I can go out to the street and pick ten people, ordinary people from the street, and ask them, “OK, who is the featherweight champion? Or “Who is the heavyweight champion?” They cannot tell you! I think that’s not really helping the sport. I think we should really focus and do something about that.
Coyote Duran: How do you feel about The Ring Magazine and their championship policy? Do you think The Ring is helping to clear up things?
Oscar De La Hoya: I tell you one thing, The Ring Magazine, first of all, with no sanctioning fees, and obviously with The Ring Magazine being so prestigious and its history with boxing, I would say that it’s the leader or the Number One………uh, I wouldn’t call it an organizational body, but I would say that if you wanna look up who the champion is, then go to The Ring Magazine. They’re the ones who can really do what no other organizational body can do and that is bring back fans and make them aware of who the champion is!
Coyote Duran: I’ll pass that on to Nigel Collins. He’d be really happy to hear that. (Both laugh.) You’ve always been a very smiley cat in front of the cameras, very well spoken, polite, and you’ve brought legions of fans to this sport. Ever since the Ricardo Mayorga fight, you’ve been smiling bigger than ever. With that subtle change on the outside in mind, how does a victory over the likes of Mayorga change Oscar De La Hoya on the inside?
Oscar De La Hoya: Well, obviously, I’ll always be the same person inside, no matter what, no matter who I fight, no matter what I do. I don’t think any victory can change who I am inside. I will always be that person, that kid who grew up in East Los Angeles and came from humble beginnings. It just made me more aware that, you know, the fan IS out there! The boxing fan CAN survive, no matter what. As long as you bring good fights, as long as you make the people aware, for instance, I’m so working on trying to get network television back and bring in the sponsors to expose fighters to the general public. My fights have done that over the past several years. That’s the reason why I’ve had the 1.5 million plus pay-per-view homes. It’s a matter of bringing back the sponsors. It’s a matter of bringing back network television. That’s what boxing needs. Can it happen? I’m very confident it WILL happen.
Coyote Duran: I gather that it goes without saying that it must frustrate the hell out of you when one says that the sport is dying. I couldn’t disagree more.
Oscar De La Hoya: It does frustrate me, but boxing will never die and, obviously, I know that for a fact because boxing has been around for so many years. It’s had its ups and downs and, yes, is it at a low point? It is but I don’t think boxing will ever die. Is there room for improvement and growth? Absolutely. Another reason I turned promoter is because there’s a lot of potential in the sport of boxing.
Coyote Duran: Back to your fight with Mayorga, in some way for you, do you think that the beating you handed Mayorga sent a message to all the ‘bully-type’ fighters in the sport?
Oscar De La Hoya: I think it did send a message. A lot of fighters do look up to me and a lot of fighters respect what I’ve done for the sport and what I continue doing. You know, I think a lot of fighters who were watching the fight or people within the sport were definitely observing very carefully. When I was telling people, “Look, I’m gonna stand up to the bully!” I’m gonna stand up to the fighter who talks a lot, the fighter who is bashing my family and this and that. Yeah, you know what? I stood up to him and I think that can be the secret of beating all these fighters who have a chip on their shoulders. It’s a matter of just standing up to them and fighting your fight.
Coyote Duran: Oscar, what does winning another title belt at this stage of your career mean to you? Does it make you feel younger, in a way, or, perhaps, even hungrier?
Oscar De La Hoya: I can really care less. It doesn’t really matter to me. Another belt is another belt. So be it. I mean, I can make myself another belt if I want for a lot cheaper than what I’m paying. (Both laugh.) I would rather fight for that Ring belt that obviously everybody wants in the boxing game. Everybody who’s a fighter wants that Ring belt and that’s, ultimately, the most important belt that we have today. Not only do you pay zero fees but it also recognized throughout the whole world.
Coyote Duran: Well, you know, there’s one waiting for you at welterweight, Oscar! (Carlos) Baldomir’s got it! (Both laugh.) Speaking of the welterweights, the division that you helped mold, of course, in the late-‘90s and early-2000s along with the likes of Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad, has gotten rather interesting lately, wouldn’t you say?
Oscar De La Hoya: Oh, absolutely! I mean, right now, the welterweight division is very, very interesting. You know, it’s funny because I’ve been hearing Top Rank say how (WBO Welterweight titlist Antonio) Margarito is ‘The Most Feared Fighter On The Planet Today.’ That’s baloney! How can he be the most feared fighter on the world today when there’s tons of fighters that are lined up to fight him that wanna fight him? For instance, we have Winky Wright, who obviously challenged him, not at 158 the way they’re saying, but at 154! Why can’t he (Margarito) go up to 154? He’s called out Cory Spinks and he’s called out other fighters who’ll fight at 154. It would be a fight at 154. We also have Kassim Ouma, who, obviously, is going back down to 147 after this fight with Sechew Powell this weekend, which he is dying to fight him (Margarito). Of course, we have Ishe Smith, who came out of The Contender, who is a great talent. He’s also willing to fight him, anytime, any day, anywhere. So there’s tons of challenges out there for him and it’s a matter of making these fights. One thing that I disagree with is that they keep on calling out (Floyd) Mayweather. Well, I have to admit, who has he fought to deserve a shot at Mayweather?
Coyote Duran: But everybody’s treating Mayweather like he’s a champion and I’ve touched upon that in past articles that, basically, fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the welterweight division is a right and not a privilege. He doesn’t have a championship to speak of. I do honestly think the welters need to get everything straightened out in their division if they feel there’s something to be straightened out. Obviously, Baldomir’s the genuine champ, but they seem so ensconced in tracking down Mayweather or challenging you or Shane Mosley at 154. I think there’s so much to be busy with in the welterweight division but these fighters are getting distracted. Agree or disagree?
Oscar De La Hoya: Well, right now, Floyd Mayweather is in the driver’s seat, OK? I mean, obviously, except if he fights me. I mean, that’s a whole different story……..
Coyote Duran: (Chuckles) Oh, we’ll get to that one shortly…….
Oscar De La Hoya: If Floyd Mayweather’s gonna fight anybody, then obviously, he calls the shots. He fights whoever he wants to fight. I mean, if you ask me who his next opponent should be, I would have to say Baldomir! Baldomir, in his last two fights, has beaten (Arturo) Gatti and has he did go out and beat Zab Judah very impressively! I think it would be a great fight and, obviously, yes, Baldomir is the WBC (and recognized Ring Magazine World) champion but, obviously, Mayweather is the one who should be calling the shots and that’s the fight that, maybe, they should make next.
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
Coyote Duran: When you hear the comment about Margarito claiming he’s ‘The Most Feared Man In Boxing’, do you think that’s Margarito or (Margarito’s promoter) Bob Arum talking?
Oscar De La Hoya: (Laughs) Well, obviously, that’s the reason why they have a promoter. You have your promoter speaking for you. And I can understand. Bob Arum wants the best, biggest, high profile fight for his fighter, but you have to earn it. Speaking as a fighter and speaking as a promoter, I feel that Margarito hasn’t earned it! I mean, I think Baldomir has earned the shot at Mayweather. I think he might be a couple fights ahead of Margarito to earning a shot at Mayweather.
Coyote Duran: Doesn’t it seem rather backwards that the champion (like Carlos Baldomir) has to chase contenders?
Oscar De La Hoya: Well, I mean, obviously, I think right now, Mayweather has so many choices. He has so many choices that he obviously wants to get the best fight for the most amount of dollars. That’s very understandable. In today’s world, you have so many fights out there where you can make so much money and, obviously, a fight with Mayweather and Baldomir is a very attractive fight for Mayweather. Mayweather’s big prize out there would be a fight with me, which, obviously, I’m not counting out. If you ask me if it’s gonna happen,…(chuckles) uh, you know, I’m very positive it will happen!
Coyote Duran: Now that helps lead to my next question, Oscar. Who do you see fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. first?: Shane Mosley at welterweight or, perhaps, you at a catchweight?
Oscar De La Hoya: Well, I’m sure that since I wanna leave the sport rather sooner than later, you know, a fight with me and Mayweather can be very possible and very soon. I think that a fight with me and Mayweather would be the biggest fight ever, including the heavyweight division. We’re just two fighters that bring a lot to the table and a lot of people will tune in and watch that.
Coyote Duran: In my estimation, a fight against Floyd Mayweather or a victory over Floyd Mayweather Jr. would not make you career complete, judging from your past accomplishments. To me, I guess it would merely ice the cake. Is this fight something you feel you need to complete your career with or if it happens, it happens?
Oscar De La Hoya: I think if it happens, it happens. Obviously, fighting Floyd is not gonna make or break my career. I hope I still have a place in The Hall Of Fame. I think it would be kind of like icing on the cake. It’s like putting the icing on, putting the candle on and blowing it out. It would be kind of like a perfect ending. But is it gonna make me or break me? I mean, financially? It’s not gonna do anything for me. If I beat him, obviously, it’s gonna make me a very happy camper. (Laughs)
Coyote Duran: With all the little stories and sub-conflicts behind this fight, it almost seems like a soap opera in boxing. If you were to, indeed, face Mayweather before retiring, who would you say the conflict actually involved more? You versus Floyd Jr. or Floyd Jr. versus his father (Oscar’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr.)? No matter what, it’s really gonna be your trainer versus his own son.
Oscar De La Hoya: Obviously, that’s a story in itself. You know, blood is thicker than water. If this fight does get made, we (Oscar and Floyd Sr.) would have to really analyze and discuss this whole situation because it would be very odd for me to be training with Floyd Sr. and he would be training me to beat up his son. I mean, what kind of father would he be or what kind of fighter would I be? I mean, it would just be very awkward. But, you know, things can be worked out. If that isn’t gonna get in the way of making this fight, I feel very confident that this fight will happen. But it can be a big distraction.
Coyote Duran: Do you believe that if the fight came off, Floyd Sr. would be hurt, to an extent?
Oscar De La Hoya: Absolutely. Floyd Sr. is such a great man. In the years that I’ve known him, I mean, he really is a good, good person inside! He really does have a great, great heart. You know, the stories that he’s been telling me about Floyd Jr. are not nice ones, not pleasant to hear. It’s like, you say to yourself after he tells you these stories, “What kind of son is he? How can a son do this to his father?” I mean, you can maybe justify if maybe Sr.. does train me to beat his son on the stories that he tells me about his son. It’s obviously, ultimately, up to the father and if he has no problem with it, then I have no problem with it.
Coyote Duran: In looking at your career, Oscar, let’s look at the big picture. Let’s not just concentrate on Floyd Mayweather or Antonio Margarito or whoever. Who would be your choice as the perfect opponent today that could close it all, ideally, for your career as a final fight?
Oscar De La Hoya: Um?……….Hmm…….As a final fight?……..I mean, truly, I think Floyd Mayweather couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. If you really think about it, he is the Pound-For-Pound champion of the world. He is undefeated. You know, he is the next, young superstar in boxing. That would be the ideal fight for me. That would the fight that really would satisfy me. Do I take it? Do I have to take it? NO, but as a fighter, it would really satisfy me just to be in there with one of the best out there in boxing.
Coyote Duran: Have you done it all in this sport or is there anything you think you’ve left undone that you haven’t touched yet?
Oscar De La Hoya: Actually, I’m very satisfied! Even if you take a look at my losses, except for the Hopkins fight (back in 2004), I’m very satisfied with what I’ve accomplished, with what I’ve done. It’s been a great career. I’m content with everything, with what I’ve done. If it’s mistakes or if it’s good things, I’m just very happy with how everything turned out. There’s no complaints from me. I’ve learned from a lot of mistakes I’ve made. I’ve grown from learning from people like Richard Schaefer, who is my CEO, and I’ve learned from the best in the game, like (promoter) Don Chargin, who is our consultant in matchmaking. It’s been a great ride and I think, as a promoter, now we’re gonna have a lot of years that are gonna be good ones and I’m looking forward to it!
Coyote Duran: Before we close this out, Oscar, are there any words for your scores of fans or the fine readers of Doghouse Boxing.com?
Oscar De La Hoya: Just watch out for Kassim Ouma, this Saturday, and watch out for Ishe Smith, who are really a big threat at 147. Again, if Margarito needs an opponent, there they are. (Chuckles)
Coyote Duran: Thank you very much for the time, Oscar. We appreciate it so much.
Oscar De La Hoya: All right, you got it! Thank you very much.
Doghouse Boxing.com and I would love to thank Marylyn Aceves of Golden Boy Promotions for arranging our discussion and most importantly, Oscar De La Hoya for his valuable time. It was an absolute pleasure.
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
So not even Oscar backs Margarito :'(
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
Oscar De La Hoya: Well, I mean, obviously, I think right now, Mayweather has so many choices. He has so many choices that he obviously wants to get the best fight for the most amount of dollars. That’s very understandable. In today’s world, you have so many fights out there where you can make so much money and, obviously, a fight with Mayweather and Baldomir is a very attractive fight for Mayweather. Mayweather’s big prize out there would be a fight with me, which, obviously, I’m not counting out. If you ask me if it’s gonna happen,…(chuckles) uh, you know, I’m very positive it will happen!
well gosh.... :D i guess thats it PBF will get baldi then it will be PBF vs ODLH.....i hope baldi knocks PBF the fuck out...just to fuck up ODLH little plan...cc the game....
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
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Originally Posted by P.G.H Angel Eyes
So not even Oscar backs Margarito :'(
ahhh fuck odlh. he just wants tony to step aside so he gets a crack at PBF first.....even if tony fights smith, ouma and winky hed never get pbf before odlh IMO....thats if tony beats all those guys.... ;D
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
ohhh and i think tony should just forget about PBF and tell his stupid promoter to get him a great fight......
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
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Originally Posted by rsan-chez
ohhh and i think tony should just forget about PBF and tell his stupid promoter to get him a great fight......
Already clicked you today bro,owe you in 24. I totally agree,I'm sick of all this crap,Arum needs to just hut his mouth about all this feared shit and get Margarito Collazo Quintana or at worst Clottey but I prefer the first 2. If I find out it's Rivera >:mad
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
I think that a fight with me and Mayweather would be the biggest fight ever, including the heavyweight division.
Such a modest guy is De La Hoya ::**
I sooo hope he fights Mayweather next year just so lil'Floyd can retire him and also get one over on his deadbeat dad.
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
I don't think Oscar is being immodest by making that statement. It certainly would be one of the biggest fights in recent memory and he is doing his part to sell it. Love him or hate him...Oscar deserves respect for his accomplishments in and out of the ring. He is a smart business man and a great boxer...add to that his looks....and you are going to have alot of haters. But he, unlike Floyd, has cemented his legacy in the sport. He has fought great fighters and sold his image succesfully. He will retire wealthy and with his health intact. Respect.
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
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Originally Posted by zhubin
I don't think Oscar is being immodest by making that statement. It certainly would be one of the biggest fights in recent memory and he is doing his part to sell it. Love him or hate him...Oscar deserves respect for his accomplishments in and out of the ring. He is a smart business man and a great boxer...add to that his looks....and you are going to have alot of haters. But he, unlike Floyd, has cemented his legacy in the sport. He has fought great fighters and sold his image succesfully. He will retire wealthy and with his health intact. Respect.
:coolclick:
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
im not disputing the topic or puttin down floyd cos i do want him to get one over on his dad, but i also want oscar to go out on a high,
but is every body here de la hoya haters? i mean ive never seen such a big group of ppl who dont like dlh i mean hes one of the best in my opinion? hit me back?
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
:coolclick: The Game.
Good read...Oscar puts it down & oh so well.
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
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Originally Posted by body head banger
im not disputing the topic or puttin down floyd cos i do want him to get one over on his dad, but i also want oscar to go out on a high,
but is every body here de la hoya haters? i mean ive never seen such a big group of ppl who dont like dlh i mean hes one of the best in my opinion? hit me back?
Nah actually I think it's only me that is a real De La Hoya hater, unfortunately :-\
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
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Originally Posted by bilbo
Quote:
Originally Posted by body head banger
im not disputing the topic or puttin down floyd cos i do want him to get one over on his dad, but i also want oscar to go out on a high,
but is every body here de la hoya haters? i mean ive never seen such a big group of ppl who dont like dlh i mean hes one of the best in my opinion? hit me back?
Nah actually I think it's only me that is a real De La Hoya hater, unfortunately :-\
in the ring hes ok IMO.... but its outside the ring when he talks... it sort of rubs me the wrong way too..... :dontknow:
Re: Oscar de la Hoya interview
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Originally Posted by rsan-chez
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Originally Posted by bilbo
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Originally Posted by body head banger
im not disputing the topic or puttin down floyd cos i do want him to get one over on his dad, but i also want oscar to go out on a high,
but is every body here de la hoya haters? i mean ive never seen such a big group of ppl who dont like dlh i mean hes one of the best in my opinion? hit me back?
Nah actually I think it's only me that is a real De La Hoya hater, unfortunately :-\
in the ring hes ok IMO.... but its outside the ring when he talks... it sort of rubs me the wrong way too..... :dontknow:
Hey glad to find another dissenter. I actually like watching his fights too, inside the ring isn't a problem, it's just the way he has marketed himself as the perfect man.
I don't know if you are familiar with the old British comedy Red Dwarf, but he's kind of like Ace Rimmer. Whenever he talks to anybody with his pearly white teeth and $100 million dollar smile people just seem to swoon over him.
You can just picture them thinking to themselves as he leaves, 'What a guy!'.
