It's the fistic version of a daily double, and a distinction no other boxer has ever achieved, but yesterday at the World Boxing Organization (WBO) convention in Puerto Rico, Oscar de la Hoya was honored twice by the sanctioning body, both as "Fighter of The Decade" and "Promoter of The Year".
"It's a great honor for me to accept these awards from the WBO, and I'm truly humbled by all of this," said De La Hoya. "To be recognized for what I've done in and out of the ring has always been something I hoped would happen, and I thank the WBO for making that dream a reality."
Also honored was Golden Boy Promotions Vice President/Matchmaker Eric Gomez, who captured the "Matchmaker of the Year" award from the organization. This marks the second time Gomez has won the award.
As a boxer, De La Hoya, a 1992 United States Olympic Gold Medalist, has made his mark with 38 wins in 43 fights and the amazing achievement of winning world titles in six weight classes. A future Hall of Famer, the 34-year-old "Golden Boy" recently fought Floyd Mayweather in a bout which shattered pay-per-view records.
But De La Hoya's impact is not only felt in the ring, but outside of it. As President of Golden Boy Promotions, De La Hoya has helped put on some of the biggest events in boxing over the past few years, and he currently promotes a host of the game's biggest stars, including Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera.
De La Hoya accepted the awards yesterday at the WBO Convention held at the Ritz Carlton in San Juan, Puerto Rico amongst almost 500 people.