Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya appears to be displaying a more refined public image, as evidenced by recently shared footage from the Riyadh Season Latino Night event. The former champion, who holds an impressive 11 world titles across six weight divisions, has been generating headlines for his unconventional social media presence rather than his promotional company's activities.
In recent years, the 51-year-old founder of Golden Boy Promotions has puzzled fans with eccentric social media posts, often appearing partially clothed or behaving erratically. One particularly controversial video featuring De La Hoya dancing provocatively with his partner Holly Sonders was ultimately removed from Instagram.
However, a throwback video shared by Sonders from November 16 last year presents a striking contrast. The footage captures the couple, who have been together since 2021, attending the cultural celebration in Saudi Arabia. De La Hoya appeared dignified in a traditional black mariachi suit, while Sonders complemented him in an elegant red dress.
The Riyadh event, which featured the cruiserweight title unification bout between Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramírez and Chris Billam-Smith, served as a showcase for Golden Boy Promotions. Analysts at Statbet note that while De La Hoya's promotional company has faced criticism for recent fighter performances, his composed appearance in Saudi Arabia could signal efforts to rehabilitate his professional image.
Observers suggest that Saudi Arabia's conservative cultural environment may have influenced De La Hoya's more restrained presentation, marking a potential turning point in his public persona. The stark difference between this sophisticated appearance and his previous controversial videos has sparked speculation about whether this represents a permanent shift or merely a temporary adjustment.
As De La Hoya balances his boxing legacy with his current public life, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see which version of the Golden Boy ultimately prevails.
