Oscar De La Hoya has named Sugar Ray Robinson as the one fighter who could beat him at any point in his career. The former champion shared this insight during a recent interview with The Daily Mail.
De La Hoya, known as "The Golden Boy," started his pro career in 1992 after winning gold at the Barcelona Olympics. He went on to grab 10 world titles across six weight classes in his 16-year run as a pro. He beat some big names like Pernell Whitaker, Hector Camacho, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, and Arturo Gatti.
His last fight was his 45th, a tough loss to Manny Pacquiao. After that, De La Hoya hung up his gloves in April 2009 and moved into promoting fights with his company, Golden Boy Promotions.
In a chat on The Daily Mail's "Knockout" segment, De La Hoya said something that got people talking. When asked about fighters he couldn't beat, he pointed to Sugar Ray Robinson. But he also claimed he could take on Thomas Hearns.
"Sugar Ray Robinson would probably beat me at any stage of my career," De La Hoya admitted. "But I think I can beat Thomas Hearns."
Robinson, who passed away years ago, is often called one of the best boxers ever. He fought for 25 years and held the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951. He also won the world middleweight title five times over nine years.
De La Hoya's words show how much respect he has for Robinson's skills and legacy in the sport. Even with all his own success, De La Hoya sees Robinson as a cut above the rest.
While we can't know for sure how a fight between them would have gone, De La Hoya's admission adds to the legend of Sugar Ray Robinson and reminds us of the lasting impact great fighters can have on the sport.
