The Comeback Of The Golden Boy;
I Am Surprised It Took So Long
By William Trillo
Photo: Bret Newton
The last time we saw Oscar De La Hoya “gloved up” in the ring he was staring hopelessly across the “Squared Circle” as the decision was made that he could not go out for another round against Manny Pacquiao. After taking a pretty good beating it was the right decision to make. Officially the record book will tell you Oscar lost when he retired after round eight. Unofficially, when most boxing fans discuss that fight they will use one of the cruelest terms in boxing, “He quit on his stool.”
Truthfully, De La Hoya’s accomplishments in the ring are legendary. There is no way that ill-advised fight and how it concluded will be what we remember of The Golden Boy. His Olympic Gold Medal and those 11 World titles will trump that final awful moment in the ring vs. Pacquiao, and rightfully so.
That being said, there isn’t a fighter on the planet from World Champion to Ham-n-Egger who doesn’t want to go out with their hand raised in victory. Oscar is no different. Even after all his accolades there is no way he can live with himself leaving the game the way he did. That is why I am surprised this comeback took so long. I figured Oscar would have made his comeback years ago.
But so be it, he has made his decision to fight again, and you know what? I am all for it.
My reasons for being on board with De La Hoya’s return are pretty much the same as his. In the news breaker posted on ESPN and penned by Steve Kim, De La Hoya said, “All these fighters are not of the level that was 15, 20 years [ago], all these fighters are demanding so much money, all these fighters are demanding the moon…These guys are in it just for the money — that’ll be the big difference. I will fight for the glory, and these guys only fight for the money. And guess what? The glory will always win.”
Can’t imagine whom The Golden Boy chief might be referring to here…can you? In this day and age of Instagram Superstars I am pretty sure I know exactly the motivation.
As to whom Oscar steps back into the ring with, that’s anyone’s guess, But if you are asking me what would be a mega fight all on it’s own, no titles or made up belts needed…drum roll please…..how about Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
SkreeeecH…KABOOM!
Now wait a minute, before you say I don’t know what the heck I am talking about please hear me out. And yes, I know they are not currently walking around anywhere near the same weight, but it wouldn’t be the first time someone came up with a creative catchweight bout. If they wanted to, they could get it done.
I am here to tell you that if they could put this together and bill at as the son seeking to exact revenge for his Father, whom De La Hoya beat twice, the intrigue would be off the charts. They would fill The Coliseum, if fans were allowed in attendance, and PPV would be huge. Trust me on this. If those two untalented Youtube stars, (I couldn’t tell you their names if you threatened me with bodily harm), can pack the Staple Center, Oscar vs. Jr. is a sure-fire blockbuster hit.
Maybe a tune up bout to make sure The Golden Boy is firing on at least seven of his eight cylinders and then a Cinco De Mayo battle in 2021.
Whad’Ya think?
Either that or Oscar can fight Ryan Garcia and give him the beating you know De La Hoya desperately wants to apply on the young Prima Donna.
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