De La Hoya Devastated Over His Loss to Pacquiao

Saturday, December 13, 2008 -- Last Saturday’s one-sided fight seems to have effectively sent Oscar De La Hoya into retirement. He is said to be devastated with the fight’s outcome.

The Golden Boy’s mistake was underestimating his foe. Everyone considered the fight to be mismatched one. De La Hoya was a 2:1 favorite. No one could have foreseen the beating De La Hoya received – not even himself. He thought that the fight against Manny Pacquiao was going to be an easy one. After all, Pacquiao was shorter than he was and Pacquiao was at a disadvantage when it came to reach.

Instead, he ended up badly bruised and battered. His state even warranted a visit to the hospital when the fight was over.

Promoter Bob Arum reports that De La Hoya is on his way to Puerto Rico where he will stay until the first of January next year. While in Puerto Rico, De La Hoya won’t be granting any interviews or making any appearances. He will most probably use the time to recuperate, lick his wounds and reflect on where he went wrong.

However, Arum, who was instrumental in making De La Hoya into the media champion that he was, said that he congratulates the Olympic gold winner. He also praised De La Hoya for his contribution to boxing during the last five years.

It may have been a shame that such a glittering career ended in such a devastating defeat. But, De La Hoya will forever go down in history as one of Boxing’s greatest names.