Image credit: Goldenboy

Over the course of a 45-fight campaign, Oscar De La Hoya became a box office star and one of the best fighters in the world.

The six-division world champion got his ‘Golden Boy’ monicker from success at the 1992 Olympic Games before turning over to the pro ranks, where he went undefeated for his first 31 fights, winning titles at super-featherweight, lightweight, super-lightweight and welterweight.

He had notable wins over Julio Cesar Chavez – a passing of the torch – and the likes of Pernell Whitaker, Fernando Vargas and Ike Quartey. He would fall short against Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad.

The fighter-turned-promoter broke down his storied career in a feature with the Ring Magazine.

Despite giving the nod to Mayweather for being the smartest opponent with the most impressive footwork, and Quartey for the top jab and power, De La Hoya couldn’t look past Pacquiao as the very best he faced.

“I would have to say Pacquiao. I think his determination, his conditioning, his skill, his power, speed, footwork … he’s one of the fighters I most appreciated. Mayweather-Pacquiao would have been a lot different [if they’d fought] in their primes. Pacquiao would have beat [Mayweather] easy, absolutely.”

It was the final fight of De La Hoya’s career – one he says he knew he would lose due to heavy drinking in training camp – and his corner threw in the towel at the beginning of the ninth.

The Filipino fighting sensation won soundly with his trademark high volume. In his next fight he would knock out Ricky Hatton – who retired one bout later – and then move up to welterweight and win the world title by beating Miguel Cotto with a final round stoppage.

As De La Hoya continues to build his promotional stable, Pacquiao is now seriously considering a comeback at the age of 45.