Oscar De La Hoya Essay Research Paper

Oscar De La Hoya is a famous professional boxer. He is

known all over the world for his looks, talent in the ring and

his great sportsmanship. He is one of the best fighters in the

field of boxing and a good role model for young children in

the world today.

PERSONAL

Oscar De La Hoya lives and was born in East Los

Angeles, California on February 4, 1973. His parents

names are Joel, a former professional boxer from Durango,

Mexico, and Dona Cecilia De La Hoya. His mother,

Cecilia, passed away in her late thirties when breast cancer

attacked her body. Oscar is the youngest boy in the family.

He has an older brother name Joel, Jr., and a little sister

name Maria. As a boy, Oscar never did like fighting or any

physical sports. (Oscar, 1) He never looked like a type of

person that would like those kind of things. Everytime he

got into a fight with another kid, he always ran immediately

to his house and cried. Don Joel, his father did not think

much of it. For the fifth or sixth time, however, Don Joel

started to believe that his son had a problem because, not

fighting back when attacked was hardly a Mexican custom.

So he decided that the best medicine for his disgrace,

within the family, was to bring Oscar to visit a boxing gym.

After all, Don Joel himself got the same medicine from his

father, who had boxed in Mexico in the amateur ranks in

the 1930’s.

(Kawakami, 18)

BOXING CAREER

Oscar first saw boxing gloves when he was five years old.

From then on he was a boxer all his life. He started winning

awards and trophies when he was eleven years old. Oscar

De La Hoya never went to college, he finished high school

and focused all his energy on his boxing. As an amateur,

De La Hoya spent the early mornings running through the

streets of East Los Angeles to train.

Oscar De La Hoya, also known as " Golden Boy", first

captured America’s hearts by becoming the only American

boxer to win an Olympic Gold Medal at the 1992 summer

games. Oscar got his nickname by publicist John Beyrooty

introducing him with the name "Golden Boy" at a press

conference. After a few months Oscar won America’s only

gold medal. Oscar’s professional career hit the stratosphere

in June 11, 1994. (Hoffer, 56)

He sky-rocketed through the professional ranks becoming

the undisputed, undefeated lightweight champion of the

world in just his twenty fights. De La Hoya, earned $9

million dollars for the bout and preserved his position as

boxing non–heavy weight superstar. The most stunning

moment of his career was when Oscar hit the canvas in the

first moment against Journeyman Narcisco Valenzuela on

October 1993. Perhaps the cleanest, best punch of his

career was when he fought Rafael Rueles and a knockout

victory on the second round on May 6, 1995, in Las

Vegas, Nevada.

AWARDS

In addition to his Olympic Gold Medals, his titles include

the 1994 former World Boxing Championship welterweight

championship and super lightweight champion. In 1995, he

became the former International Boxing Federation

lightweight champion and former World Boxing

Organization lightweight champion. Oscar’s first

professional fight was on November 23, 1992; He stopped

Lamar Williams in the first round. One of his biggest fights

was when he fought Julio Cesar Chavez and won on the

fourth round on June 17, 1996. Oscar’s last fight was on

September 18, 1999 and lost to Felix Trinidad by a

twelve-round majority decision. Oscar is continuing even

today, asking for a re-match.

Oscar De La Hoya is renovating the 72-year-old gym

where he trained all his life, into headquarter is a Youth

Foundation, non-profit organization dedicated to

sponsoring Olympic hopefuls and providing educational

scholarships on a selected basis. It is also a tribute to his

mother, Cecilia. Oscar is currently 26 years old and is one

of the hottest stars in sports; His good looks made him one

of People Magazine, most beautiful people in America.

AUTHOR’S NOTES

I learned new things about Oscar De La Hoya that I have

not learned before. I hope I learn more about him and his

great ability to fight. Oscar is one of the great entertainers in

America. Even though he lost his last fight against Felix

Trinidad, he is still my favorite boxer. If there is one thing I

hope that Oscar will do is to fight Muhammad Ali. I hope

you have learn things about Oscar De La Hoya.

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