On this day over 20 years ago, Oscar De La Hoya proved his mettle against a seasoned pro with 85 fights.
Oscar De La Hoya may now be a promoter for fighters like Ryan Garcia and Arnold Barboza Jr., but his career as a fighter was a legendary one, sharing the ring with Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, and many more.
De La Hoya retired with a record of 39-6, but left behind a legacy of enthralling performances against dangerous opposition, such as in 2003, when he faced Luis ‘Yori Boy’ Campas.
Oscar De La Hoya stops 80-5 Campas to set up clash with Shane Mosley
De La Hoya, who KO’d Mayweather’s uncle, had 37 fights when he defended his world title against Campas, who had almost double the amount of time in the ring, and a whole host of knockouts to his record.
To give an idea of his power, Campas retired in 2023 with a record of 108-17-3, having won 83 fights by knockout.
In his final fight, he scored an eighth-round knockout at the age of 51.
De La Hoya, who is one of the best amateur boxers ever, proved himself to be on another level in the fight, as the pair engaged in a thrilling must-see fight.
The fight didn’t make it to the final bell, though, as De La Hoya’s elite skill proved too much for Campas in the end, with his corner stepping in at the end of the seventh to spare their man any more punishment.
De La Hoya’s victory set him up for a match against Shane Mosley, who defeated De La Hoya in a close but unanimous decision.
Luis Campas faced the man who retired Roberto Duran, and his son in the same year
In 2009, Campas fought Hector Camacho, who retired Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard.
The pair fought for eight rounds in Orlando, Florida, before their bout being declared a split decision draw.
Campas didn’t seem finished with the Camacho name, though, and faced Hector Camacho Jr. just five months later.
He lost a split decision to the younger Camacho, putting his rivalry with the family to bed.