Oscar De La Hoya has flirted with the idea of a making a boxing comeback many times. He even had a fight scheduled for last September that fell through. But De La Hoya says that chapter is over.
“I can’t imagine myself in the ring anymore. I’m hanging up the gloves for sure and calling it a day,” De La Hoya told Boxing Scene’s Manouk Akopyan in an interview.
De La Hoya was scheduled to fight Vitor Belfort in a crossover fight for Triller on Sept. 11. However, the former fighter-turned-promoter caught COVID-19 and was hospitalized, which led him to pull out of the bout.
De La Hoya teased a potential makeup fight, but he has decided against that. He says the training took too much out of him.
“It’s not likely [I will fight again]. I’m not feeling it. I went through so much in training. I was on it. When I trained, I left everything and my focus was 100%. It just drained me. I couldn’t handle it. Once I got COVID, I still have problems breathing when I’m running.”
Not only did the training change De La Hoya’s mind, but he also feels more fulfilled in life and doesn’t feel the need to fight. He credited his relationship with new girlfriend Holly Sonders for helping him feel more complete. You can read his full comments on how Sonders has rejuvenated him at Boxing Scene’s website.
The 49-year-old Los Angeles native last fought in 2008. He went 39-6 during his notable fighting career.
Photo: Kirby Lee-USA Today Sports
