Former six-division champion, Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs) almost ended his nearly six-year hiatus from the ring to face WBA middleweight title holder, Felix Sturm, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York in October, according to ESPNNewYork.com.
De La Hoya said at a press conference for the October 20 event:
I can't do it, can't do it. I think about making a comeback every single day. I went running, I went training, did that for a few days. But my body couldn't handle it. I'm 39, but I'm an old 39.
We have seen it time and time again in sports, one of the best of a sport making a comeback to the game they once dominated, only to be a fraction of the athlete they were in their prime and tarnishing their legacy.
De La Hoya made the right decision staying out of the ring, especially after such a lengthy absence.
The ring rust would be a huge factor for the "Golden Boy" and coming back to face a hungry champion—set on avenging a 2004 loss to De La Hoya—would almost guarantee an embarrassing showing by the 39-year-old.
The former boxing great seems to be committed to staying retired as he said that he was "a million percent" sure he was done as a fighter.
Ending his career on a sour note, De La Hoya went 3-4 in his last seven bouts, losing to such fighters as Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Bernard Hopkins and was battered by Manny Pacquiao in his last fight as a pro.
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