Even as a teen, he was a touted prospect. When he turned pro, his first fights were televised. -He knocked Rafael Ruelas out in 2 rounds (1995) -He destroyed undefeated Genaro Hernandez in 6 rounds (1995) -He demolished the 96-1-1 (at the time) Julio Cesar Chavez in 4 rounds (1996) -He beat a 41-0 Miguel Gonzalez (1997) -He beat an all time great, Pernell Whitaker (1997) -He destroyed Hector Camacho in a wide UD (1997) -He destroyed a now 100-2-2 Julio Cesar Chavez in 8 rounds in there rematch (1998) -He beat the undefeated Ike Quartey by split decision (1999) THATS A TREMENDOUS RESUME...OH BY THE WAY, in between all these fights he never lost...31-0 in his first 31 fights w/ 24 knockouts. He began facing world class fighters VERY early in his career. I'm not an oscar de la hoya lover or hater...But what I wanna know is what happened? This guy seemed to be on a path to become an all time great. What got in his way? I wasn't a boxing fan during his golden (no pun intended) years, but I was wondering what all of you boxing fans thought about him during this time? Did you think he would eventually lose and was an overrated showman? Did you think he was the greatest fighter of all time b4 he got schooled by Trinidad, Mosley, Hopkins etc.?
he will be remembered as a ATG. sure he didnt win all his fights but the man fought just about everybody
I don't think SCHOOLED by Trinidad, Mosley and Hopkins is perhaps the best choice of descriptions. The Mosley fights were close with the second many felt De La Hoya won. Oscar was doing well against Hopkins at middle as well. De La Hoya just plain won the Trinidad fight in my opinion. The guy was fighting often and winning. He seemed to be big about making a career that was a masterpiece and he wanted to challenge himself as well. He moved up in weight, probably not the best idea for him as his body didn't really carry the extra pounds quite so functionally. He was always a name in the sport from the beginning. Took on all challengers and fought often. Still around and effective he has a pretty accomplished career. Definitely HOF candidate.
I don't mean he was schooled per se...But he had no signs of the domination of opponents he had done throughout those 1st 31 fights. He definetely has a HOF career though.
I had Oscar beating Tito, no doubt about it. I had Oscar beating Mosely both times, their first fight was a split decision and the rematch Oscar won more convincingly. I had Oscar beating Void also. Will Void fight a rematch, well, looks like he retired rather than making the biggest payday of his career. Hopkins fight? Hopkins was too big for Oscar.
LOL, I don't know about "demolishing" Chavez in the first fight. Oscar landed some good punches towards the end of the 4th but it was stopped on cuts.
