Oscar De La Hoya to Mayweather: ‘Stop Ruining Your Legacy with These Fights!’

Oscar De La Hoya has some harsh words for his former rival and fellow boxing legend, Floyd Mayweather. In a recent Instagram video, De La Hoya criticized Mayweather’s series of exhibition bouts, suggesting it’s time for him to retire for good. Mayweather’s latest fight was a rematch against John Gotti III, a contest that went the full eight rounds without an official score. Their first match had ended in chaos, and since then, Mayweather has taken on a variety of opponents, including YouTuber Logan Paul, former reality star Aaron Chalmers, and Japanese fighters Mikuru Asakura and Tenshin Nasukawa.

These fights have been met with mixed reactions from fans, many of whom feel that Mayweather’s exhibitions are more about showmanship than serious competition. De La Hoya, known as “The Golden Boy,” echoed these sentiments, urging Mayweather to stop what he sees as a tarnishing of his legacy. “Floyd, you’re 50 years old. You’re a legend in this sport,” De La Hoya said. “But you have to stop embarrassing yourself with these exhibitions. I know life is hard, I know life is expensive, but come on, put your legacy first. Nobody wants to remember you like this.”

De La Hoya’s comments come as Mayweather faces legal troubles, with a Miami jeweler suing him over unpaid debts from 2021. De La Hoya referenced these issues, noting that the financial challenges Mayweather faces shouldn’t push him into decisions that could harm his reputation. “It’s hard to make money, but it’s even harder to keep it,” De La Hoya said. “Floyd, I’m rooting for you, come on, let’s turn it around.”

From De La Hoya’s perspective, his tough love comes from a place of concern for a fellow fighter’s lasting legacy.