“So I’m coming to training camp in Big Bear. This is the first time I’ve ever talked about this, so Oscar, if I offend you, listen, the truth will set you free,” Ortiz told Fighthype.
“Boom, I go ‘Okay, that’s an easy jab,’ he throws a straight right. Boom. Dropped him, he’s on his knees.
“I go ‘Look out here, I’m going to finish him’. Nacho says, ‘Why are you hitting him so hard?’ I’m like, ‘I’m working with this guy, he’s the 10-time world champion. What are you talking about?’ Again, boom. Descend again. Get out of the ring, take all his things, leave.”
If Ortiz’s recollection is accurate, the timing could explain what happened.
By late 2008, De La Hoya was no longer the fighter who had won Olympic gold and captured world titles across multiple weight divisions. The Golden Boy has already built a Hall of Fame career and become one of boxing’s biggest crossover stars.
Many observers believe his decline began years earlier. De La Hoya lost a decision to Shane Mosley in 2003 and escaped with a controversial unanimous decision over Felix Sturm in 2004, a fight many fans felt he lost. Later that year, Bernard Hopkins stopped him with a body blow in the ninth round.
The weight issue may have made matters worse. De La Hoya campaigned at 154 pounds and even fought at middleweight before agreeing to face Pacquiao at welterweight. The 35-year-old reportedly worked his way down to the division rather than rely on a traditional late weight cut, appearing noticeably thin at the weigh-in.
Pacquiao dominated the fight eight months after De La Hoya’s victory over Steve Forbes, forcing his corner to stop the bout after the eighth round. De La Hoya announced his retirement the following year.
Ortiz, meanwhile, was a young contender entering his physical prime. He would go on to capture the WBC welterweight title in 2011 with a win over Andre Berto.
