De La Hoya finally hangs gloves at 36

LOS ANGELES – Oscar De La Hoya called it quits in the ring on Tuesday, ending a career in which he won 10 world titles in six divisions and became American boxing’s most popular fighter.

He announced his decision at an outdoor plaza across the street from Staples Center, where a statue of the 36-year-old nicknamed Golden Boy stands.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s over,” De La Hoya, from East Los Angeles, said before hundreds of fans, including comedian George Lopez and Oscar-nominated actor and former fighter Mickey Rourke. “It’s over inside the ring for me.”

De La Hoya retires four months after he was thoroughly beaten by Manny Pacquiao, his fourth loss in his last seven fights. He has not defeated a formidable opponent since Fernando Vargas in 2002. Age and diminished skills led to losses in recent years to Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

He won his last title in May 2006, beating Ricardo Mayorga in six rounds for the WBC light middleweight belt. He finished with a record of 39-6 and 30 knockouts.

“This is the love of my life, boxing is my passion, boxing is what I was born to do,” De La Hoya said. “When I can’t do it anymore, when I can’t compete at the highest level, it’s not fair. It’s not fair to me, it’s not fair to the fans, it’s not fair to nobody.”

De La Hoya transcended his sport, generating crossover appeal among Latinos and whites. He was especially popular among women, who filled his news conferences and fights while screaming their approval of the boxer blessed with a magnetic smile and movie-star looks.

De La Hoya said he based his decision on not wanting to let down his fans or himself. But he admitted he struggled to end things.

“Now I understand why athletes have such a tough time retiring from something that you feel so passionate about, from your sport that you’re always thinking you can try one more time,” he said.

“I can still train hard and I can still compete, but when you’re an athlete that has competed on the highest level for a lot of years, it’s not fair. It’s not fair to step inside the ring and not give my best.”

Although the second half of his career wasn’t as successful, De La Hoya was a champ at the ticket window. His bouts were guaranteed pay-per-view successes, and he was a cash cow for HBO, which broadcast 32 of his fights - the most of any boxer – and generated millions in profits for the cable network.

De La Hoya kept a stern expression during his announcement, his voice breaking only when he thanked his father, Joel, who sat on the stage with the boxer’s wife, Millie Corretjer, a Puerto Rican singer.        (AP)