Oscar De La Hoya believes boxers keeping their undefeated record is overrated and doesn’t automatically mean you can earn eight-figure purses.
De La Hoya gave solid advice to fighters like Shakur Stevenson, who still has his ‘0’, and Jaime Munguia, who recently lost his to Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas.
The Golden Boy boss outlined his views in a comprehensive chat with Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay.
Asked by Sharpe about fighters who are more concerned with being undefeated than taking a big fight, the ten-time world champion pointed out that it takes a lot of work outside the ring to become a star.
“The problem is that fighters think they are going to make fifteen million dollars,” he told Sharpe. “Fighters have to realize their own worth. They create their own worth. Yes, the promoter knows how to navigate your career and get you the right wins and position to become a world champion, but it is up to you to sell yourself.
“Look at Floyd Mayweather. Look at fighters like Canelo, who have skills and fight hard, but at the same time, they have that huge fan base because they are working it outside the ring.”
As Sharpe mentioned, fans want knockouts instead of decisions, the subject of Stevenson was immediately breached, alongside Munguia.
“I will give you a perfect example of a young fighter right now in that position: Shakur Stevenson,” said De La Hoya. “The greatest fighter I have ever seen. He has a beautiful style, great technique, punching power, and a chin, but he needs the confidence to fight. He has to believe in himself to put on a good show and sell seats.
“That’s the problem he is having. He is a great fighter, demanding all the money, and fights are not getting made.”
He continued, “There is a stigma in boxing that if you lose your ‘0,’ your career is over. No, it’s not. You can be an undefeated fighter and not be a guy that everybody wants to see. It all depends on how you perform.
“You’re as good as your last fight in boxing. Let’s say Munguia vs Canelo. Munguia lost, but in his comeback fight, he knocks him out if he chooses the right opponent, who looks like a million dollars. Well, guess what? He is back and probably even bigger than when he fought Canelo. So it’s all strategy and about how you perform inside the ring,” concluded the 1992 Olympic gold medalist.
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.
