Oscar De La Hoya, a boxing legend and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, is once again making headlines, but this time, it's not for his illustrious in-ring career or promotional activities. The former six-division world champion finds himself embroiled in a heated exchange with rising star Edgar Berlanga, which has led to a flurry of attention in the boxing community. The conflict, fueled by comments from De La Hoya and Berlanga, has sparked widespread discussion, particularly due to Berlanga’s upcoming fight with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
Why Is Oscar De La Hoya Trending?
Recently, Oscar De La Hoya has been thrust into the spotlight due to his ongoing feud with super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga. Berlanga, a sought-after fighter known for his knockout power, fired back at De La Hoya in response to comments made about his upcoming bout with Canelo Alvarez. The exchange has led to a war of words between the two camps, with Berlanga threatening to "smack" De La Hoya when he sees him. This back-and-forth has captivated boxing fans, leading to a surge in online traffic discussing the issue, with approximately 500+ searches related to the topic.
Who Is Oscar De La Hoya?
Oscar De La Hoya is one of the most iconic figures in boxing history. He rose to prominence in the 1990s, earning titles in six different weight classes and an Olympic gold medal. Since retiring from active competition, De La Hoya has maintained a high profile as a boxing promoter, managing some of the sport's biggest names through his company, Golden Boy Promotions. Known for his charisma and business acumen, De La Hoya has always been a polarizing figure, but his recent comments about Edgar Berlanga and Canelo Alvarez have made waves in the boxing world.
The Edgar Berlanga Feud: What’s Behind the Drama?
The recent spat between Berlanga and De La Hoya took off after De La Hoya made critical remarks about Berlanga's upcoming fight with Canelo Alvarez. According to Bad Left Hook, De La Hoya expressed skepticism about Berlanga’s chances against the seasoned champion, Canelo, which led to Berlanga lashing out. The Puerto Rican fighter did not take kindly to De La Hoya’s comments, accusing him of spreading "hate." In response, Berlanga made a bold statement: “I’ll smack the s— out of him,” expressing his frustration to the media.
The situation escalated further when, in a subsequent interview, Berlanga doubled down on his comments. In the MMA Fighting article, he emphasized that he and his team were serious about confronting De La Hoya in person. “We’re gonna smack him when we see him,” Berlanga said, making it clear that the tension between them has reached a boiling point. This fiery exchange has become a trending topic, with fans eagerly awaiting how this personal conflict might unfold in the future.
Oscar De La Hoya’s Prediction for Canelo vs. Berlanga
Adding fuel to the fire, Oscar De La Hoya has also made headlines for his grim prediction regarding the fight between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga. According to Seconds Out, De La Hoya believes that Canelo’s star power may take a hit after the fight. While he didn’t outright dismiss Berlanga’s abilities, his comments suggest that the bout might not live up to the hype, potentially overshadowing Canelo’s dominance in the sport. De La Hoya’s comments have been interpreted by many as a subtle jab at Berlanga, further intensifying the animosity between the two.
The Bigger Picture: What Does This Mean for Boxing?
The feud between Oscar De La Hoya and Edgar Berlanga signifies more than just a personal grudge; it reflects the larger dynamics of the boxing industry, where promoters, fighters, and their teams often clash over public perception and business interests. De La Hoya’s critical remarks about Berlanga may stem from his role as a promoter, always seeking to protect his fighters and maintain control over the narrative. Berlanga, on the other hand, is a rising star eager to prove himself on the biggest stage, and any perceived disrespect from a legend like De La Hoya can quickly turn personal.
Additionally, De La Hoya’s prediction regarding the Canelo vs. Berlanga fight could have broader implications for the sport. If Canelo, one of the biggest stars in boxing, were to face a setback in this bout, it could create new opportunities for fighters like Berlanga to step into the limelight, potentially shifting the balance of power in the super middleweight division.
Conclusion
Oscar De La Hoya may be retired from active boxing, but he continues to be a major figure in the sport, whether through his promotional activities or, as we see now, controversial comments. His feud with Edgar Berlanga has captured the attention of boxing fans worldwide, not only for the personal drama but for what it could mean for the future of the sport. As Berlanga prepares for his biggest fight yet against Canelo Alvarez, all eyes are on how this conflict will evolve and what impact it might have on the fighters involved.