Retired Boxer Oscar De La Hoya Announces He's Making a Comeback 13 Years Since His Last Fight
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Oscar De La Hoya is back!
The retired boxer, 48, announced that he will be making a comeback to the sport later this year.
"July 3, I'm making my comeback," he said during a press conference Friday, CBS reported. After the announcement, the athlete dramatically dropped his microphone and walked off stage.
The Olympic gold medalist last fought in December 2008, when he lost to Manny Pacquiao.
De La Hoya has been teasing his return for some time now.
.@OscarDeLaHoya joins @SnoopDogg on stage to announce his return to active boxing on July 3rd during today's Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren press conference on @Triller.
Watch full press conference: https://t.co/pwdJ5m65jB pic.twitter.com/rpALofyh8F— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) March 26, 2021
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He told ESPN last August that the "rumors" of his return to boxing were true, and that he would be starting to train again.
"The rumors are true, and I'm going to start sparring in the next few weeks," he said at the time, adding that he would be competing in a "real fight."
"I miss being in the ring, I love boxing," he said. "Boxing is what gave me everything I have today, and I just miss it."
Since his retirement more than a decade ago, De La Hoya has been focusing on his Golden Boy Promotions, which he founded in 2002.
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Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Oscar De La Hoya
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When he announced his retirement, De La Hoya had won world championships in six different weight classes, concluding his career with a record of 39-6.
"Look, it's been a long time, yes," he told ESPN last year of his upcoming return. "But actually my jab feels faster than ever. I have to make sure that my conditioning is perfect, my health is good. And that's going to take place in the next few weeks. So we'll see."
De La Hoya's July opponent has not yet been announced, and he and his team are currently scouting locations for the match. CBS reported that Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is among the potential venues.
