Oscar De La Hoya was born on February 4, 1973 in East Los Angeles, California. He had a very successful amateur career, which saw him win the Junior Olympics at age 15. In 1989, he won that National Golden Gloves title as a bantamweight, and a year later captured the U.S. National Championship at featherweight. His beloved mother died of breast cancer in October of 1990, leaving a hole in young Oscar’s heart, and made him determined to win a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics for her.
At the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, De La Hoya shined, and defeated German boxer Marco Rudolph to win the gold medal. The press nicknamed him ‘The Golden Boy’ during the games, and it remained with him the rest of his life. He finished his amateur career with a spectacular record of 223-5, and immediately looked to turn professional.
Oscar made his pro debut on November 23, 1992 at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, and knocked out Lamar Williams in the first round. Less than three weeks later, he knocked out Clifford Hicks in one round at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Twenty-two days later, he stopped Paris Alexander at the Hollywood Palladium. Three fights and three knockouts, was a great way to start a boxing career.
‘The Golden Boy’ would string together eight more victories to close out 1993, with names like veterans Troy Dorsey and Jeff Mayweather on his list. He finished the year with a record of 11-0, with 10 KO’s, and signed to fight for his first belt, the lightly regarded WBO Super Featherweight belt on March 5, 1994.
His opponent from the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles was Jimmy Bredahl, and I sat tuned into the action on HBO. Oscar had become a favorite of mine, and was a much needed boost to a sport that needed new stars. He was good looking, was fast, and he had power to boot. He was impressive in winning his first official pro title, and I for one couldn’t wait see the young stud in action again.
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