Oscar De La Hoya is a name that will perhaps remain evergreen in the hearts of many Americans. The retired pro boxer is one of the most successful boxers that the nation has ever had. His achievements are endless from winning the gold medal at just 19 years old, Oscar winning 10 titles in 6 different weight classes.
The Golden Boy as he is fondly called during his heydays was also popular among non-boxing fans – thanks to his incredible contributions to society via many philanthropic efforts and of course, his brief but a successful musical career.
Since retiring from professional boxing in 2009, Oscar has remained active in the sports as a sports promoter via his Golden Boy Promotions. We take you through the highlights of his career and personal life.
Oscar De La Hoya Bio
Oscar De La Hoya was born on the 4th of February, 1973, in East Los Angeles, California to Mexican immigrants. Coming from a family of boxers, Oscar began boxing at the age of 6 idolizing the 1976 Olympic gold medalist Sugar Ray Leonard. With his family around to put him through the necessary training, Oscar improved quickly and at the age of 15, he won the national Junior Olympic 119-pound title and then the 125-pound title the following year.
In October 1990, Oscar lost his mother, Cecilia Gonzales De La Hoya to breast cancer. Her deathbed wish was for her son to become an Olympic gold medalist. Inspired by his mother’s dream, Oscar focused strongly on training ahead of the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He fulfilled his mother’s dreams by winning gold at the event, defeating Germany’s Marco Rudolph. He became known as The Golden Boy and went pro later the same year. His amateur record was 223–5.
Oscar won his first pro match in a first-round KO. 12 fights later, he won his first world title, the WBO super featherweight title.
Net Worth
Oscar went on to become one of the most popular boxers in the history of boxing. In a pro career that spanned 16 years, Oscar generated approximately $700 million in pay-per-view income. No other boxer has surpassed that amount except Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao following their highly publicized bout in May 2015.
In addition to his earnings from boxing, Oscar has earned from other sources, chiefly his Golden Boy Promotions which he founded in 2002. He has endorsed several brands including EASports. In February 2008, Oscar’s Golden Boy acquired a 25% in the Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo. The former pro athlete has donated millions to several charitable causes. His net worth is estimated at $200 million.
His Wife and Children
As typical of rich athletes, Oscar De La Hoya has romanced many women in his life. He chose Puerto Rican singer and actress Millie Corretjer as his wife and the two got married on October 5th, 2001 in a secret ceremony in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The two met in 2000 when Oscar was recording for his first studio album. While struggling to demonstrate passionate singing, Oscar’s producer Rudy Perez made him watch a music video of Corretjer’s whom he had also produced for. Oscar requested for Millie Corretjer to be in his music video, and the rest is history.
The couple share two kids together who are birthday mates. The first one, a son Oscar Gabriel De La Hoya Corretjer was born on December 29, 2005. Their second child, a daughter named Nina Lauren Ninette De La Hoya Corretjer, was born on December 29, 2007.
Oscar’s wife who was born on April 18, 1974, is the granddaughter of the Puerto Rican poet Juan Antonio Corretjer who was once the Secretary-General of the pro-independence Puerto Rican Nationalist Party.
Oscar De La Hoya has three additional children from previous relationships. They include two sons, Jacob De La Hoya who was born on February 18, 1998, and Devon De La Hoya who was born on November 30, 1998. He has a daughter, Atiana Cecilia De La Hoya (born March 29, 1999) with his former girlfriend Shanna Moakler, the Miss USA 1995 titleholder. In total, Oscar De La Hoya has 5 children from four different women.
Is Oscar De La Hoya Gay?
As evidenced in his many kids from different women, Oscar De La Hoya’s sexual orientation is very straight and not gay. However, the former pro boxer had many Americans thinking otherwise in September 2007 when a certain Russian model Mila Dravnel leaked photos of The Golden Boy dressed in fishnet and heels complete with a wig looking like the ultimate drag queen.
Oscar denied the authenticity of the photos and experts even confirmed that the photos were digitally altered but rumors had it that he paid the lady $20 million to buy her silence. Shortly after, another model, Angelica Marie Cecora came forth with details of having a sex and drug party with the macho athlete.
However, Oscar shockingly revealed in an August 2011 interview with Univision that he indeed was the one in the photo. This raised questions again about the boxer’s sexuality but Oscar blamed his cross-dressing photos on cocaine intoxication. He said the photos were a result of his first time tasting the substance.
Height and other Quick Facts
1. Oscar De La Hoya stands at a height of 5 feet 10.5 inches.
2. His reach measures 73 cm and he weighs 145 lb.
3. He retired with a boxing record of 45 total fights, 39 wins (30 by KO), and 6 losses.
4. He holds both American and Mexican nationality.
