Oscar De La Hoya Calls Out Today’s Boxers: “They’re Killing the Sport”
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Boxing legend and Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya isn’t holding back when it comes to his thoughts on why boxing is struggling. In a no-holds-barred Instagram post, De La Hoya blamed modern fighters for the sport’s decline, accusing them of being too focused on protecting their records and not taking enough risks to excite fans.
Modern Fighters Are to Blame, Not Promoters
De La Hoya made it clear: today’s boxers are the problem, not the promoters, trainers, or managers. “Fighters today don’t think they’re getting paid enough, or they’re scared of taking an L,” he said, referring to their fear of losing.
He compared today’s scene to fighters from the past, like Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward, who weren’t the biggest stars or the highest-paid but gave everything in the ring. “They earned our respect by fighting their hearts out, no matter what,” he added.
De La Hoya also praised UFC fighters, pointing out their grit and willingness to take risks. “They fight like motherf***ers even though they get paid peanuts,” he said. By contrast, De La Hoya criticized boxing for being too predictable, saying, “We already know who’s going to win before the fight even starts,” referencing bouts like Canelo Alvarez’s recent fights.
What happened to Boxing’s Golden Era?
De La Hoya reminisced about the 1990s, calling it boxing’s golden age. Back then, fighters like Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Felix Trinidad weren’t afraid to face tough opponents. “We created mega-fights that had fans buzzing for weeks,” he said.
He wasn’t as forgiving about the 2000s, blaming Floyd Mayweather for making the sport “boring and defensive.” He also criticized Canelo Alvarez, calling him “the most boring but most popular boxer today.”
While he criticized much of the sport, De La Hoya praised Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano for their “incredible, real fight” earlier this year, calling it an example of what boxing should be. Still, he stressed the need for change, saying, “We have to get our sh*t together.”
