Oscar De La Hoya says Mexican fighter is ‘1000%’ the best the country has produced

In Oscar De La HoyaIn everyone’s mind, there is no debate as to who is the greatest Mexican fighter of all time.

De La Hoya, himself of Mexican descent, proudly represented his roots throughout his career as the “Golden Boy” of East Los Angeles. The 1992 Olympic gold medalist was a hugely popular figure and, before his controversial defeat to Felix Trinidad in 1999, he had already won world titles in four weight classes.

A year earlier, however, De La Hoya had shared the ring with a late-career fighter whom, more than 20 years later, he would describe to CombatHype as the greatest Mexican boxer of all time.

When we told him that Julius Caesar Chavez was this man, De La Hoya replied:

“I agree one thousand percent. If anyone wants to tell me there is someone better than Julio Cesar Chavez, tell me to my face.”

Only Salvador Sánchez could be considered a true rival to Chavez’s legacy, but “Chava” tragically lost his life at the age of just 23, on August 12, 1982.

Chavez would lose to De La Hoya when they met in 1998.but the once formidable and almost invincible champion was already 36 years old, with an 18-year career and more than 100 fights behind him.

At the height of his powers, El Gran Campeón Mexicano demonstrated his immense popularity by facing Greg Haugen in front of 132,247 spectators. at the Estadio Azteca in 1993. The Pride of Mexico won the super featherweight, lightweight and welterweight (now super lightweight) world titles.

He retired with a remarkable record of 115 fights, suffering just six defeats – four of which came in the final chapter of his career – as well as two draws and 85 knockouts.