De La Hoya’s Clap Back: Boxing Must Be In 2028 Olympics
Boxing faces a fight to be in the 2028 Olympics, which became a topic of discussion during Oscar De La Hoya’s latest clap back Thursday segment.
World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst has made it clear that he wants boxing to continue in the Olympics. A decision about its future will be made next year. But there are doubts that it may not make the cut. This is vital since the Olympics has produced some of the sport’s best boxers. Wladimir Klitschko is an ex-gold medalist, having won it at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. He would then turn professional, becoming the unified heavyweight champion of the world.
Importance Of Olympics
He also supported the current Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk when he faced Tyson Fury. Usyk beat Fury via a split decision to become the first Undisputed Heavyweight Champion since 1999 when Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield. Usyk won the Olympic Gold medal in London 2012, which gave him the foundation to become a two-weight undisputed champion in the pro ranks. Klitschko understood the importance of Usyk’s win for Ukraine, given their war with Russia, as he put his support behind having boxing in the Olympics.
“Boxing is one of the most spectacular and oldest sports in the Olympic program. Speaking as the 1996 Olympic champion, I want to advocate that boxing must be safe for LA2028,” Klitschko said
De La Hoya also saw the importance of the Olympics in his career. The Golden Boy Promoter won the gold medal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. He followed that up with a successful transition into the pro ranks. De La Hoya became a six-weight world champion from super featherweight to middleweight. His best wins were against Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker and Hector Camacho, to name a few. He retired with a 39-6 record, with 20 KO wins. Given the importance that boxing had on his career, Oscar had plenty to say.
De La Hoya Reacts
“I have always said that winning the Olympic gold medal was my biggest and most rewarding accomplishment of my entire career. That’s just one of the reasons why I can’t believe that for the first time in more than a century, boxing is not scheduled to be part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. What? Huh? That’s right, the games are being held in my hometown in 2028, the site of Americans winning nine gold medals.
“So I have to ask the IOC, why would you decide to make this move after 120 years of boxing in the Olympics? Is it because the IIBA, is that corrupt, or is it because of the undeniable debacle this past summer? What exactly is the reason you’re disappointing young women and men around the world who dream of becoming Olympic boxing champions, young men and women just like myself, who come from humble beginnings to say the least, and we have little to no other options in life,” De La Hoya
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