De La Hoya wins sixth world title

Steve Bunce
Sunday 24 June 2001 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Oscar de la Hoya added his name to the shortlist of fighters competing to be recognised as the best in the world when he won the World Boxing Council light-middleweight championship, which is his sixth world title in a fifth weight category, in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

In the past De La Hoya has been accused of not wanting to fight but on Saturday he was too good for Javier Castillejo, of Spain, and, after 12 repetitive rounds, all three judges voted 119-108 in his favour. The final bell saved Castillejo when he was knocked down with just five seconds left on the clock.

The win completes a short course in manufactured redemption that De La Hoya undertook after losing to Shane Mosley last summer in a fight he was also expected to win. De La Hoya's perfect record had been lost the previous summer when Felix Trinidad edged him and after both defeats his courage was and commitment was severely questioned.

"Now I'm back, I have silenced some doubters and I have the power to control the issues," De La Hoya said. "I know I need a big fight to change the way I'm perceived and I want to make history."

At the MGM on Saturday De La Hoya looked far more aggressive than he has done and he praised his trainer, Floyd Mayweather Snr, with whom he has worked since March.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in