Retiring from boxing is widely regarded as one of the most difficult parts of the sport, with history littered with a host of fighters who just couldn’t bring themselves to hang up the gloves.
And in a very honest interview, hall of famer Oscar De La Hoya has shed some light on the fight that made him realise it was time to call it a day.
De La Hoya called time on his glittering, 16 year professional career in 2008 at the age of 35, having won world titles in a remarkable six weight classes.
Speaking to Larry King, ‘The Golden Boy’ explained it was his last fight against Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao that brought him to the stark realisation that time was up.
“It actually took me a very tough beating for me to get out of the sport – Manny Pacquiao. He beat the hell out of me.
Manny Pacquiao would be right in front of me, after he hit me like fifteen times I would be ready to hit him, and he would be wide open, but I couldn’t pull the trigger. I just couldn’t do it any more.”
Since retiring, De La Hoya has gone into the promotional game, where it’s perhaps fair to say he has not been enjoying a similar level of success to his fighting career as of late.
The Mexican is currently involved in a contractual dispute with his biggest star, Ryan Garcia – who his company, Golden Boy, are suing.