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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