FILE: Promoter Oscar De La Hoya smiles during a news conference. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP
Oscar De La Hoya slammed Floyd Mayweather Jr. over the latter’s claim of racism in the world of combat sports.
Speaking to ESPN Deportes, the Golden Boy Promotions president, who is a Mexican-American, made it clear that, “There is no racism in boxing at all.”
“If you’re a champion or not a champion, people love you or they won’t. Period,” said de la Hoya.
READ: Mayweather says racism exists in boxing
Mayweather was hitting on what seems to him as an apparent bias towards UFC standouts Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. He said that skin color has been a huge factor in building their star value, compared to Mayweather, an African American, who has always been cast as a villain.
De La Hoya dismissed the claims and threw a shade at the recently-retired undefeated champ.
“Look, if you’re going to run and not provide the people with a show, you are not going to be wanted. But if you’re going to knock people out and give the people a show, the people will worship you and racism has nothing to do with it,” he said.
READ: McGregor fires back at Mayweather, challenges him to fight
This was not the first time de la Hoya has spoken against Mayweather.
At the tailend of 2015, “The Golden Boy” penned a letter that appeared on Playboy addressed to Mayweather, criticizing the latter’s career and resisting to put him among the boxing’s greats.
The two fought back in 2007, where Mayweather edged de la Hoya on a close split decision victory.