The Golden Boy shared his thoughts in a recent chat with Daily Mail. During the 'Knockout' round of the interview, De La Hoya surprised fans by saying he could've beaten Thomas Hearns in his prime. But when it came to Sugar Ray Robinson, he admitted defeat.
De La Hoya's career took off right after he won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He grabbed world titles in six weight classes and beat big names like Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, Arturo Gatti, Hector Camacho, and Ike Quartey.
His fighting days ended in December 2008 when Manny Pacquiao got the better of him. After that, De La Hoya focused on his promotion company, Golden Boy Promotions, which he'd started back in 2002.
Robinson, who passed away years ago, is often called the best boxer ever. His career lasted a whopping 25 years, from 1940 to 1965. He ruled the welterweight division from 1946 to 1951 and then moved up to middleweight, where he won the title five times over nine years.
"Sugar Ray Robinson was just too good. He had everything - speed, power, skills, and a great chin. I don't think anyone from any era could've beaten him at his best,"De La Hoya said.
Robinson's most famous fights were against Jake LaMotta and Randolph Turpin. These battles showed why he's considered a boxing legend.
De La Hoya's admission shows just how highly Robinson is regarded in boxing circles. Even a champion like De La Hoya, who faced some of the best in his time, sees Robinson as unbeatable.