De La Hoya Reflects on Rift with Canelo: “Some Fighters Forget Who Helped Them”

on
by Butch Belga

Former boxing champion and now promoter Oscar Dela Hoya. Photo: Getty Images

Oscar De La Hoya has finally spoken in depth about his strained relationship with Canelo Alvarez, attributing their fallout to what he believes was jealousy and ingratitude. The boxing legend and Golden Boy Promotions founder helped guide Alvarez’s career from the start, but now finds himself on the outside of the boxer’s circle.

De La Hoya recalled signing Canelo when the Mexican fighter was just 18, bringing him to the U.S. and building him into a global star. Despite the success, he believes Canelo eventually turned his back on those early contributions, something De La Hoya sees as a trend among certain fighters.

He pointed out that after years of investing time, effort, and resources into Alvarez’s rise, he was blindsided when the fighter cut ties. De La Hoya maintains he did nothing to provoke such a response and has been searching for clarity ever since.

Some of the tension, De La Hoya speculated, may have come from being in the spotlight himself. As a former superstar, he noted that media attention often shifted toward him when he and Canelo were in the same room, something he suspects may have bothered the younger fighter.

Canelo Alvarez (left) and Oscar Dela Hoya have long had a rocky relationship. Photo: Getty Images.

Canelo, on the other hand, had reportedly grown frustrated with how Golden Boy Promotions handled aspects of his career. While De La Hoya didn’t deny going through personal struggles—including a period in rehab—he said he kept communication open with Alvarez during that time. He recalled calling from rehab to inform Canelo he couldn’t attend a fight, to which Canelo responded supportively.

Now more than two decades into his career as a promoter, De La Hoya emphasized that he approaches the business with the mindset of a former fighter—honest, direct, and informed by personal experience. He expressed confusion over the breakdown in his relationship with Alvarez and said he hopes for answers one day.

Canelo Alvarez. Photo: Getty Images.

When asked if there was any animosity from his end, De La Hoya dismissed the idea. He’s still looking for an explanation from Canelo and remains puzzled over what went wrong between them.

For now, the rift remains unresolved, with De La Hoya reflecting on it not with bitterness, but with disappointment and a desire for understanding.