Oscar De La Hoya Biography

Boxer

Oscar De La Hoya is a Mexican-American boxing champion whose good looks and charisma made him one of the few non-heavyweights to become a pop culture celebrity. After years as a successful amateur in East Los Angeles, De La Hoya was the 1989 Gold Gloves national champion. He won a gold medal for the U.S. at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. During his career, "The Golden Boy" won titles in six different weight divisions and was a top money-maker for professional boxing, thanks in part to his role as a marquee fighter for HBO cable television. His last fight in 2008, a loss to rising star Manny Pacquiao, seemed to indicate the end of his career in the ring. However, he had already become Oscar De La Hoya the promoter -- as president of Golden Boy Promotions. He remains one of the most celebrated boxers of his era, and his other business interests have included a Spanish-language boxing show on HBO, Boxeo de Oro, a clothing line, and various merchandising deals.

Extra credit: According to Forbes, De La Hoya made $2 million for his part in the failed boxing reality TV series The Next Great Champ... Also a singer, he recorded the Grammy-nominated CD Oscar De La Hoya in 2000... He married Puerto Rican singing star Millie Corretjer in 2001. Their son, Oscar, was born in 2005 and a daughter, Nina, was born in 2007. He also has three children from previous relationships.

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