photo: Lukie

Hall of Fame boxer Oscar De La Hoya last week made ill-fated comments stating that he would return to the ring to face Gennady Golovkin. The statement know looks in hindsight to be more of a bit of a shock statement to generate headlines in front of a few Golden Boy Promotions shows that took place recently. Below is the statement De La Hoya released.

Over the last six months I’ve had a front row seat as Golden Boy fighters including Canelo Alvarez, Bernard Hopkins, Lucas Matthysse, Jorge Linares and David Lemieux have stepped into the ring and shown what boxing should be all about — a commitment to fight the best, to respect the sport and to put the fans first.

As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don’t think about coming back — and the performances of these Golden Boy fighter has only added to my desire to return to the ring.

But I am retired, and after speaking to my family and following a great deal of introspection, I have decided to stay retired.

However, I do so with knowledge that many fighters today still pride themselves on the same principals that I adhered to throughout my career. It is now through boxers like those I mentioned and dozens of other Golden Boy Promotions fighters that those values live on.

To the many thousands of fans who over the last couple of weeks encouraged me to come out of retirement and fight again, I thank you. You can rest assured that I will spend the rest of my days around this wonderful sport, even though those days won’t be spent inside the ropes.