Legendary boxer Oscar De La Hoya, who grew up in Los Angeles as the son of Mexican immigrants, addressed the ongoing protests in his hometown sparked by immigration raids being carried out by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
De La Hoya, who became a dual citizen in 2002, paid tribute to immigrants. At times, the protests have turned violent.
“I am sad about what’s happening in Los Angeles right now,’’ De La Hoya said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports on June 11. “Growing up in L.A., I witnessed firsthand how integral immigrants are to the heartbeat of this city — they are our friends, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and loved ones. Latinos are among the most hardworking people in the world, and their contributions strengthen every corner of our communities.”
Though born in Montebello, California, De La Hoya spent his formative years in East Los Angeles, a predominantly Latino community. At the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, De La Hoya held an American flag and Mexican flag in the boxing ring after winning a gold medal.
‘As a proud Mexican-American, I carry immense gratitude for the sacrifices my family made in coming to the U.S. from Mexico in pursuit of a better future,’’ De La Hoya, 52, also said in the statement provided to USA TODAY Sports. “Their courage gave me opportunities I’ll never take for granted.’’
De La Hoya, who won eight world championships in six weight divisions before announcing his retirement in 2009, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014. He is the founder and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, one of top promotion companies in boxing.
Jane Murcia, Director for Golden Boy Promotions, said De La Hoya was not available for interviews.