Host Shannon Sharpe was unsure about comments made by boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya regarding his infamous lingerie photos.
De La Hoya went viral once his career had finished after images were posted of the six-weight world champion wearing women’s underwear. After initially denying the photos were real, De La Hoya has since embraced that time in his life when he used to enjoy dressing up.
Sharpe looked confused as De La Hoya explained how the images impacted his life but stopped short of agreeing with his view of the other people in the room.
“I’m glad I said they were real because it set me free. Yes, they were fifteen years ago, so what? I bet if I asked thirty people here, twenty of them would say, ‘Yes, I wore something from a woman in closed doors.’ That’s what happens. Mine just came out publicly,” De La Hoya said on Club Shay Shay.
Sharpe responded, “Er, I don’t know about that Oscar,” with a chuckle.
“I’m getting emotional now because I’m happy.” – @oscardelahoya pic.twitter.com/33pp0HVi29
— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) August 20, 2024
After struggling with alcohol and substance abuse, De La Hoya spoke about his new-found happiness with Holly Sonders. ‘The Golden Boy’ says he never needed rehab despite checking himself in before one of Canelo Alvarez’s fights. He’s adamant he just needed the kind of love Sonders has provided since they met.
“Ever since I got with her, people say, ‘Wow, Oscar, you’re a changed man.’ I am not a changed man. She just took care of me, nurtured me, and loved me, and that’s what I needed.
“I didn’t need rehab. All these people were trying to take what I had and take me down. I just needed someone to care for me, and I’m good.”
On the potential of wedding bells, De La Hoya added, “Absolutely, when you’re in love, my partner now has changed my life. She makes me feel like a man every single day. I have had breakfast on my table every day for three years. I am the man that I should be, and I am happy.
“Over the years, I’ve had a million people around me that I felt loved me, but why am I going to my house crying myself to sleep if I have a thousand people around me that love me?”
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
