In Oscar De La Hoya’s mind, there is no debate over who stands as the greatest Mexican fighter of all time.
De La Hoya, himself of Mexican heritage, proudly represented his roots throughout his career as East L.A.’s “Golden Boy”. The 1992 Olympic gold medallist was a hugely popular figure and, before his controversial defeat to Felix Trinidad in 1999, had already captured world titles across four weight divisions.
A year earlier, however, De La Hoya had shared the ring with a fighter in the latter stages of his career who, more than 20 years on, he would describe to FightHype as the greatest Mexican boxer of all time.
When it was put to him that Julio Cesar Chavez was that man, De La Hoya replied:
“I agree a thousand percent. If somebody’s gonna tell me that there’s somebody better than Julio Cesar Chavez, say it to my face.”
Only Salvador Sanchez could be considered a genuine rival to Chavez’s legacy, but “Chava” tragically lost his life aged just 23 on August 12, 1982.
Chavez would go on to lose to De La Hoya when they met in 1998, but the once-formidable, near-invincible champion was already 36 years old, with an 18-year career and more than 100 fights behind him.
At the peak of his powers, El Gran Campeón Mexicano demonstrated his immense popularity when he fought Greg Haugen in front of 132,247 fans at the Estadio Azteca in 1993. The pride of Mexico won world titles at super-featherweight, lightweight and light-welterweight (now super-lightweight).
He retired with a remarkable record of 115 fights, suffering just six defeats — four of which came in the final chapter of his career — alongside two draws and 85 knockouts.
