Oscar De La Hoya: ‘Boxing is a Mess, Worse Than Ever”

In an extensive interview on October 5, Hall of Fame boxer and promoter Oscar De La Hoya shared his critical views on the current state of boxing. De La Hoya lamented that the sport is in the worst condition it has ever been, with top athletes sitting idle, awaiting significant paydays before stepping into the ring. He pointed out that many of these fighters are refusing to fight, potentially leading to a decline in the quality of competition and the overall health of the sport.

De La Hoya specifically criticized the influence of Saudi Arabian investments, which he believes have distorted the sport's trajectory. He argues that these massive paydays are causing top talent to become idle, waiting for big money rather than actively pursuing fights and becoming world champions. He likened this situation to the failed LIV Golf venture, where guaranteed contracts led to subpar competition and ultimately the fund's withdrawal.

The Golden Boy Promotions head also addressed the rumored sale of Ring Magazine, expressing deep concern about its deteriorating reputation and credibility. De La Hoya stated that he hopes a new owner can restore the magazine's original purpose, as the current direction appears to be worthless and biased. The loss of Ring Magazine's influence and the questionable decisions made by its managing editor have further tarnished the sport's image, De La Hoya lamented.