Oscar De La Hoya Retires From Boxing At Age 36 (Photos/Video)

Posted on April 14, 2009

Boxing’s “Golden Boy”, Oscar De La Hoya, announced his retirement today at the age of 36. Read more on Oscar De La Hoya’s decision to quit boxing below.

Oscar De La Hoya held a news conference outside of the L.A. Live complex saying:

“I’m announcing my retirement. . . . When I can’t compete at my highest level, it’s not fair — to me, [or] my fans,” De La Hoya, 36, stated. “Knowing that you’re never going to compete again is a tough decision, but now I am looking forward to the future of boxing. When I cannot compete at this level, I have come to the conclusion that it is over.”

De La Hoya’s last fight was in December with Manny Pacquiao.

“After reflecting a lot and speaking with my family and friends I came to the conclusion that I would bring to a halt my career as a boxer.

“After the Pacquiao bout I realized that I no longer had either the reflexes nor the power to compete at this level, hence I took this decision.”

De la Hoya – known as ‘The Golden Boy’ – had pretty much indicated just after he had been battered into submission by the much smaller Pacquiao that he was contemplating retirement.

“My heart still wants to fight that’s for sure, but when your physical doesn’t respond, what can you do?”

De la Hoya retires with a record of 39 victories 6 defeats with 30 knockouts.

Hundreds of his fans turned out to hear De La Hoya give his goodbyes to the ring.

Oscar’s fight against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in May of 2007, which Mayweather won by split decision, grossed 120 million dollars to become the richest fight in boxing history!

Oscar said it was a tough decision.

“Now I understand why athletes have such a tough time retiring from something that you feel so passionate about, from your sport that you’re always thinking you can try one more time,” he said.

De La Hoya kept his emotions to himself, but his voice broke when he thanked his father, Joel, who sat on stage with De La Hoya’s wife, Millie.

“I remember the times when he would take me to the gym and never gave up on me,” De La Hoya said. “We’ve lived some tough moments inside the ring, we’ve been through everything, but my father was always there for me. Thank you for pushing me as hard as you can.”

Click Thumbnails for Larger Pictures