Dubai: Former boxer Oscar De La Hoya has lashed out at the ‘Mayweather era’ of boxing, which puts business ahead of the game.
Floyd Mayweather takes on Manny Pacquiao in a long-awaited welterweight contest at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, in what will be the richest fight in boxing history valued at about $400 million (Dh1.5 billion).
But it’s not a tagline De La Hoya, who retired in 2008 after winning ten titles across six weight divisions in a 16-year professional career, is too pleased with.
“This fight is being built up as the richest in boxing history, I’m not fond of that build-up,” said the 42-year-old Mexican-American, who was in Dubai last week for the Icons Cup all-star golf tournament at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
“I’d prefer people talk about how great this match up is and how exciting this fight is going to be and how great it’s going to be for boxing. Forget about the business, if the fight is great, the business follows,” said the former fighter, known as Golden Boy, who lost to both Mayweather and Pacquiao towards the end of his career as he totalled 39 wins from 45 fights, 30 by knockout.
“That’s just the Mayweather era-business — which I hate,” he added. “Boxing lost its value of being called a true world champion, caring about the history and the pride and honour of fighting. It’s less pride now, it’s business, especially this fight.
“At the end of the day people want to see a great fight that’s great for boxing and this is one of those fights people are going to want to see more of, so hopefully we can have a second and a third.”
De La Hoya’s rant against the business of boxing is particularly ironic after he earned an estimated $700 million in pay-per-view income during his career and took part in the last most lucrative fight in boxing history against Mayweather in 2007.
