Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya recently made headlines by calling out another legend, Floyd Mayweather, urging him to retire from his exhibition bouts for good. Mayweather, who retired from professional boxing with a perfect 50-0 record after defeating Conor McGregor in 2017, has since been participating in exhibition matches with celebrities and influencers. Despite the lack of official scoring and rules in these bouts, Mayweather has continued to step into the ring, much to the disappointment of De La Hoya and others in the boxing community.
De La Hoya specifically highlighted Mayweather’s most recent exhibition bout against John Gotti III in Mexico City, which ended in a no result. De La Hoya expressed his displeasure with the fight, calling it a “sh*t show” that left the crowd booing. He pointed out an incident in the second round where Mayweather had the referee swapped out because he didn’t like being told to stop hitting behind the head. De La Hoya’s criticism of Mayweather’s behavior during the bout reflects a sentiment shared by many fans and experts in the boxing world.
In a passionate plea on Instagram, De La Hoya addressed Mayweather directly, appealing to him to consider his legacy in the sport. De La Hoya acknowledged Mayweather’s status as a boxing legend but emphasized the importance of not tarnishing that legacy with continued participation in exhibition matches. De La Hoya urged Mayweather to prioritize his reputation and image in the eyes of fans and the boxing community, rather than focusing solely on financial gain.
Despite De La Hoya’s plea and the criticism surrounding Mayweather’s exhibition bouts, the former champion has shown no signs of slowing down. Since his retirement from professional boxing, Mayweather has fought in eight exhibition matches, with no indication that he will stop anytime soon. De La Hoya’s concern for Mayweather’s legacy and reputation in the sport is a sentiment shared by many who remember Mayweather’s dominance in the ring during his professional career.
Oscar De La Hoya’s call for Floyd Mayweather to retire from exhibition bouts serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving one’s legacy in the world of boxing. As fans and experts continue to voice their concerns about Mayweather’s post-retirement activities, the debate over his impact on the sport and his own reputation rages on. Only time will tell if Mayweather heeds De La Hoya’s advice and chooses to step away from the ring for good.