Photo by AP
LOS ANGELES—Oscar “the Golden Boy” De La Hoya is undergoing rehabilitation for “substance abuse” in a California facility.
The American entertainment show TMZ said the 38-year-old De La Hoya went into the clinic some time within the past few weeks.
TMZ, which first reported De La Hoya’s problem, quoted the owner of Golden Boy Promotions as saying he will emerge “a stronger, healthier person.”
“Oh my God, is that right?” World Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulaiman said in an interview with the Inquirer. “But what I respect and admire is that he took the decision to go into rehabilitation. I hope he can control that.”
De La Hoya told TMZ he wants privacy while he deals with his flaws.
“After doing an honest evaluation of myself, I recognize that there are certain issues that I need to work on. Like everyone, I have my flaws, and I do not want to be one of those people (who are) afraid to admit and address those flaws,” De La Hoya told TMZ.
“I ask for respect and privacy as my family and I go through this process.”
Former six-division champion De La Hoya had a career record of 39-6. He lost to Filipino Manny Pacquiao in December 2008 and retired soon after, setting up Los Angeles-based boxing firm Golden Boy Promotions.