De La Hoya changes his mind, says he will stay retired

Retired six-division champion Oscar De La Hoya just had a change of heart.

He is now saying he no longer wants to make a boxing comeback.

De La Hoya, 49, was supposed to fight former UFC champion Vitor Belfort last September in a comeback fight but had to withdraw from the contest when he caught COVID-19.

“I can’t imagine myself in the ring anymore. I’m hanging up the gloves for sure and calling it a day. It’s not likely [I will fight again]. I’m not feeling it,” De La Hoya told Boxingscene.

“I went through so much in training. I was on it. When I trained, I left everything and my focus was 100%. It just drained me. I couldn't handle it. Once I got COVID, I still have problems breathing when I’m running.”

De La Hoya, who holds a record of 39-6 with 30 knockouts, last saw action inside the ring in 2008 when he fought Manny Pacquiao in a bout that saw him beaten to a pulp en route to an eighth-round stoppage that sent him to retirement.

“You try to convince yourself that life is going to get better [after retirement]. Once you're retired and not doing what you love, there's a big hole,” De La Hoya said.

“Boxing creates the hole, but boxing can cover the hole. I owe everything to boxing, including my life. My legacy is already established, and I’m proud of it.” — LA, GMA News