Sports Illustrated has named Golden Boy Promotions Founder and President Oscar De La Hoya its 2014 Boxing Promoter of the Year.
The famed magazine noted: “De La Hoya has re-established himself as a force on the promotional landscape. He has repaired Golden Boy’s relationship with HBO, restored a working relationship with rival Top Rank and continued to build junior middleweight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez into one of the biggest stars in boxing…his best days as a promoter lie ahead.
“I’m humbled and honored and thank Sports Illustrated for this incredible recognition,” Oscar De La Hoya said. “When I was inducted to the Boxing Hall of Fame in June, I made a promise that Golden Boy Promotions would focus all of its energies on a simple premise – bringing the best fights to the fans of our sport. In 2014, we started to deliver on that promise, but we have only scratched the surface of what is possible. Working with our outstanding stable of fighters, our fellow promoters and everyone else in our sport who shares our goals, 2015 is primed to be a huge year for boxing.”
The recognition from Sports Illustrated caps an outstanding year for De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions. Earlier 2014 highlights include De La Hoya’s induction to the International Boxing Hall of Fame; recognition of De La Hoya’s accomplishments and contributions in and out of the ring from the California State Legislature; and the announcement that Golden Boy Promotions would once again start working with HBO Sports in addition to the company’s ongoing relationship with SHOWTIME.
Making good on the promise to put together the best fights for the fans, De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions brought huge events to venues all over the country, including bouts between superstar Canelo Alvarez vs. Erislandy Lara; the legendary Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev; and a resurgent Amir Khan vs. Devon Alexander to end the year strong.
De La Hoya promises that 2015 will be even better.
“I’ll never forget that boxing is for the fans. I do this for the fans. I want them to get the fights they want to see, and I won’t rest until that happens.”
