Diego De La Hoya Looks To Make A Name For Himself On September 12th

0
1064

When it comes to boxing royalty few names stand out. Mexican and Mexican-American royalty consists of two names: Chavez and De La Hoya.

Though the days of Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar De La Hoya fighting are over, their children and relatives are keeping their names alive. For Chavez, his two sons are making him proud for Oscar, his younger cousin Diego will make his professional debut on September 12th in Las Vegas on the biggest weekend for boxing in the year.

Even though he has not fought as a professional yet, Diego will have not just a spotlight but a microscope on him come fight night and he welcomes the pressure and the criticism and is out to prove that he is not the same fighter as Oscar.

“There is a lot of pressure because my name is associated with Oscar De La Hoya because of what Oscar has done in boxing,” said Diego. “I am going to try my best to make history in boxing. There is a lot of pride and pressure fighting during such a great weekend in boxing. I am different than Oscar. We have different styles and I will show that on September 12th I am very happy to make my pro debut in Las Vegas because there will be a lot of people watching. There will be support and criticism and I am ready for that. ”

Diego started boxing at the of 6 and was given the nickname “The Golden Kid” by newspapers. He has fought over 250 amateur fights and missed qualifying for the London Olympics after a controversial loss to Oscar Valdez.

“Everything has been like a dream for me since I started boxing. The plan was to go to the Olympics in Brazil but since there was the change where the amateurs don’t have to wear headgear I thought why risk getting cut or injured as an amateur when I can turn pro. Why risk your career when you are not getting paid. All the money (going to fights) comes out of your pocket. I was disappointed that I was unable to go to the Olympics and London and the plans that I had were to go to the Olympics in Brazil but that dream ended and this dream about turning pro and becoming a world champion began.”

Diego does not describe himself as the typical Mexican fighter who throws punch after punch to KO his opponent. Instead he views himself as a technical fighter.
Training in the U.S. and learning to speak English are steps that Diego plans to follow to open himself up to a wider audience and fighting in Las Vegas under those bright lights are a dream for fighters all over the world which Diego will get to live.

“Every fighter that wants to make a name for themselves goes to the U.S. to get better. I am working with Joel to make that happen. I was waiting to get my visa so that I can go finish my training with Joel Diaz in the U.S. for the last few weeks. I have had very good training and sparring in Mexico. I am prepared for any opponent that is put in front of me. This week I will be at the Abner Mares fight and I will get to talk to my manager Joel De La Hoya as well as Oscar to get the information on my opponent.”

Diego has not had a profession fight yet but there could already be a rivalry brewing with Oscar Valdez who has become a shining prospect after last year’s Olympics.

“I sparred over 100 rounds with Oscar Valdez and we know each other very well. I believe there will be a rivalry between Valdez and I. Our sparring sessions made us both better fighters.”