Title: The Escalating Feud Between Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez: A Look Into a Once-Promising Partnership Turned Sour
The relationship between Oscar De La Hoya, a former boxing champion and current promoter, and Canelo Alvarez, one of the sport’s most prominent fighters, has deteriorated significantly over the past few years. Once united in a professional partnership that seemed destined for success, they now find themselves embroiled in a bitter and very public feud.
The Fallout Begins: A Rift Over Money and Management
Central to the tension between De La Hoya and Canelo is their previous close relationship, which began as a promising partnership. De La Hoya, through his promotional company Golden Boy Promotions, was instrumental in helping Canelo gain widespread recognition in the United States and elevate his status as a global boxing superstar. However, this once-fruitful collaboration began to sour over disagreements regarding money, fame, and management.
De La Hoya publicly stated that Canelo’s personality changed as his financial success grew, particularly after signing a massive $365 million deal with DAZN. He implied that the wealth altered Canelo’s attitude, driving a wedge between them. “It’s like Canelo changed over time. When you start making money… 300 million will do that,” De La Hoya remarked in one of his interviews, suggesting that the boxer’s newfound riches negatively impacted their relationship.
Canelo, in response, did not mince words. He accused De La Hoya of mismanaging his career and alleged that De La Hoya had been negligent with his finances. “For this idiot… let him not forget that I came to the United States already being Canelo, and he only profited from my name. That’s the only thing this man does—being a scumbag of boxing, robbing fighters,” Canelo stated in a public outburst, making clear his deep resentment towards his former promoter.
Claims and Counterclaims: A Bitter Exchange
The feud has been characterized by a series of accusations and counterclaims. De La Hoya fired back, defending himself against Canelo’s allegations of financial misconduct. He emphasized that Golden Boy Promotions operates with complete transparency and that all financial dealings were above board. “First of all, I’m a legitimate company. Everything is by the book. Come check my books; bring in your auditors,” De La Hoya challenged, implying that Canelo’s accusations were baseless.
De La Hoya also suggested that jealousy may have played a role in their fallout. He pointed out that the media and public attention he continued to receive might have made Canelo feel overshadowed. “I would walk into a room, and everybody would put all their attention on me… De La Hoya,” he explained, hinting that Canelo might have felt frustrated by the continued spotlight on his promoter even as he became one of the sport’s biggest stars.
A Sense of Betrayal: Canelo’s Perspective
From Canelo’s point of view, his sense of betrayal goes beyond financial disputes. He has expressed disappointment in what he perceives as a lack of loyalty from De La Hoya—a value he holds dearly. “I’m loyal, and I treat everybody like a family… but I think he’s not that kind of person,” Canelo said, suggesting that De La Hoya’s public persona does not match the reality of his character behind closed doors.
Canelo’s frustration appears rooted in the belief that De La Hoya’s actions have been self-serving, prioritizing his own fame and success over the well-being of his fighters. This sentiment may have contributed to Canelo’s decision to sever ties with Golden Boy Promotions and seek a new direction for his career.
The Role of Outside Influences: De La Hoya’s Defense
De La Hoya, for his part, has suggested that there may have been external factors influencing Canelo’s change in attitude. He mentioned “whispers in the ears,” implying that people around Canelo might have sown seeds of suspicion or fed him false information. “I just feel that a lot of times fighters get jealous,” De La Hoya speculated, hinting at the complex web of influences that surround high-profile athletes.
A Widening Rift: The Clapback Continues
The feud between the two has only intensified over time, with each party making public statements that further highlight the depth of their animosity. During a recent “Clapback Thursday” segment, De La Hoya did not hold back, targeting not only Canelo but also other boxers like Edgar Berlanga and Devin Haney. His comments about Berlanga’s heritage and Haney’s off-ring behavior were pointed and mocking, indicating that De La Hoya is unafraid to speak his mind, regardless of the potential fallout.
Regarding Devin Haney, De La Hoya commented sarcastically on a recent altercation involving Haney at the Orange County State Fair. “Devin Haney had his comeback fight last week at the Orange County State Fair,” he quipped, emphasizing that the incident was a far cry from the controlled environment of professional boxing.
A Potential Path to Reconciliation?
Despite the bitterness and harsh words exchanged, both De La Hoya and Canelo have suggested—albeit subtly—that they do not harbor personal hatred toward one another. De La Hoya stated, “I have nothing against him; I really don’t,” while Canelo has not entirely ruled out the possibility of reconciliation. However, given the extent of their public spat and the damage done to their professional and personal relationship, any potential reconciliation would likely be a long and difficult process.
Conclusion: A Partnership in Ruins
The fallout between Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez serves as a cautionary tale about the fragile nature of partnerships in the world of professional sports. Once a successful team that achieved great things together, they are now estranged, their relationship marred by accusations of greed, mismanagement, and betrayal. While both have moved on to different phases in their careers, the breakdown of their partnership remains a black stain on their otherwise impressive accomplishments.
As both continue to navigate their paths in the world of boxing, the question remains whether they can ever truly put the past behind them and find some common ground—or if this feud will continue to be one of the sport’s most notable rivalries.
