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Philippines, 04 Jul 2009 |
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DE LA HOYA IMMORTALIZED AT STAPLES CENTER By Dr. Allan Recto PhilBoxing.com Tue, 02 Dec 2008  Los Angeles, CA (12-01-’08) – “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be standing on this podium with a statue right in front of Wayne Gretzky and next to Magic Johnson, ” stated Oscar De La Hoya today at the Staples Center’s Los Angeles Sports Walk of Fame during the unveiling of a 14 feet bronze statue bearing his semblance. He further said “As a kid growing up in East LA wanting to become a fighter…making my city proud…I found it thru boxing.” He added, “Boxing to me is just a vehicle to realize other people’s dreams…when kids walk though here to watch a game and seeing it, they would say that if Oscar De La Hoya from East LA made it with a lot of hard work, dedication and never giving up, they could make it too.” The 10 time world champion in six weight divisions was accompanied by Timothy Leweike, AEG President & CEO and Richard Schaefer, Golden Boy Promotions CEO. This presentation was the last media opportunity with De La Hoya in Los Angeles, before he departs for his December 6 fight against the best pound per pound boxer Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The unveiling of the statue immortalized Oscar De La Hoya at the Staples Center located near the corner of Figueroa an 11th Street/ Chick Hearn Court. Finally he said, “If I can touch one person and change his life; making them think positive; making them realize that if I can do it the way I did it, maybe they can do it too…I would have accomplished my goal” Richard Schaefer remarked that this statue is for everyone who have dreams and it can be achieved by hard work and determination just like his friend Oscar De La Hoya who as a young boy in East LA went to the gym everyday accompanied by his father and later on won the Gold Medal in boxing at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He introduced De La Hoya and emphasized on his accomplishments by doing so much outside the ring for his LA community, for Latinos - from education with his own High School and to the Cancer Research Center among others. He told this writer that he was very proud of his friend and that the statue symbolizes all the dreams that Oscar De La Hoya wanted and he will realize his dream on December 6 as well. De La Hoya then answered questions from media who asked mostly about his upcoming fight with Pacquiao. Oscar De La Hoya’s family members were also present including his father Joel and older brother Joel Jr. as well as his wife Millie and their 2 kids. VP and Matchmaker of Golden Boy Promotions Eric Gomez was also present during the unveiling. Immediately following the event, Team De La Hoya departed for Las Vegas. 
Richard Schaefer at the podium speaking about the accomplishments of De La Hoya outside the ring. 
A trimmed, well fit Oscar De La Hoya in front of the bronze statue at Staples Center. 
Timothy Leweike, AEG President & CEO speaking in front of the media present during the unveiling of the statue today. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto. Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles: |
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