Your Thoughts on Oscar De La Hoya?

I think he deserves a world of credit. Excellent fighter who actually made a point of seeking out the toughest challenges available in a talent-rich era. Go Oscar. He didn't win every fight, but you're not supposed to. That's not how people are.

 

Take away all the background noise and focus on the boxing and you get a very good, entertaining to watch fighter.

 

The research & analysis I completed to participate in Rummy's decade rankings, sticky thread, altered my perception of some fighters. ODLH was one of those fighters.

Based solely on fights in the decade, I ranked ODLH #3 in the 90's, with only Whitaker & RJJ ahead.

During the 90's ODLH went 31-1, arguably 32-0 on fair scorecards, with his only lost being the hotly debated decision vs Trinidad. We was 2-0 in straps at SFW & 7-0 at LW. He was 2-0 in lineal world title fights at LWW & 8-1 (arguably 9-0 on fair scorecards) at WW. He beat Whitaker (who was admittedly smaller, past prime & in a close fight), JCC x 2, Quartey, Hernandez, Carr, Camacho, Gonzalez, Ruelas, Molina, Riveria & Paez.

I think his 2000's decline had clouded my view of how excellent his record in the 90's was. He's not an elite P4P ATG in with an argument of a top 40 slot, imo, but he is an ATG, most likely best positioned somewhere between 51-100 in the all time P4P rankings.

 

He was obviously very good. His father got him training from an early age - and He was also naturally gifted, what gave him unique fluidity and versatility in the ring.
@salsanchezfan mentioned him seeking tough challanges - which I think is true, but with a little caveat, that it took him some time to get to this point, but also to his credit once He became his own boss and broke free from Bob Arum, that's indeed what He was doing.
His 130 "run" is not very impressive, He fought two fighters who were European rather than World level for still not fully accepted WBO title.
Then, after moving to lightweight - his oppositon improved, but He still dragged up some smaller guys with a name to fight him there. Dethroning JCC at 140 looks great on paper, but Chavez was obviously a bit worn down by then. Miguel Gonzalez was another opponent Oscar didn't fight at his best weight.

His record at Welterweight and above is numerically less impressive, but I appreciate that part of his career more - particulary starting from Quartey fight. He fought the best, won some and lost some - some close fights went his way, some did not - but He was involved in some big fights that are still great to go back to.
He has a claim of holding world title in 6 divisions. I think 2 of those are questionable - with him fighting guys outside of top 10 for not fully recognised belt at 130 - and getting a gift against Sturm at 160 - but in 4 division from 135 to 154, He was excellent.

I think He could hold his own in any era.

 

Thanks Fergy.

 

He was an excellent fighter, can`t think of anyone he ducked. I think he has a very good resume

 

Great fighter ,who like many others, shouldn't have came back for his last couple of fights. Biased a bit since we have the same exact birthday, but on point, was tight. Not fond of his activities out of the ring. But oh well.

 

Great fighter. Extremely flawed person.

 

^^^^ This is the perfect answer.

 

A truly talented and gifted fighter who accomplished a lot in the ring. Exciting to watch too. I think his resume warrants ATG status even though some of his best wins were over past prime greats

 

The first fight I remember watching and thinking ODLH was ging to lose was against Paez in 94.

When Oscar had back to back wins in 95 against John john Molina, Rafael Ruelas , Genero Hernandez and Jesse James Leija ODLH got everyone's attention.
But imo the win over JCC in 96 was the changing point of Oscars career.

It was the moment of out with the old in with the new kind of feeling.

To answer the question I think ODLH earned his keep and had a few bogus losses along the way.

 

Excellent fighter. Very entertaining. I always looked forward to his bouts, whether I was rooting for him or against him.

Outside the ring, he seems to be a complete mess.

I was a fan of the fighter, not the man or the promoter.