The rush to determine how "Golden" this Boy truly is

The thrilling twelve-round split decision against Ike Quartey in 1999 is one of many fights for which Oscar De La Hoya will be remembered. The final round of that fight is considered to be Oscar's guttiest performance. We may never see trunks this short again, either.

A week ago, Oscar De La Hoya retired. Not that it was so unexpected, really. His Golden Boy Promotions Company has shown to be more than just a dabbling interest for both Oscar and Bernard Hopkins, and is definitely big enough to compete with the Top Ranks and Universums of the world. De La Hoya was a multiple division champion, a pound-for-pound mainstay during his prime, a featured attraction everywhere he went, and a huge box office draw. After getting beaten up by Manny Pacquiao in December, it was apparent to many (apparently including De La Hoya himself) that Oscar just didn’t have it at the elite level anymore. After such a great career in the ring, what else was there to prove? Some fighters have no life after boxing; Oscar, with his promotional company, will remain a factor in the sport for years to come.

Well, since that happened, a couple of different camps have come out of the woodwork. There are those who were thrilled by De La Hoya’s exciting bouts, remembering the events his fights always were, and the anticipation they brought (I can remember having so many people over to my apartment for his fight with Felix Trinidad, we couldn’t fit anyone else in without a shoehorn and some Vaseline!). There are still others who have spent the last week trying to figure out where the Golden Boy fits in amongst the greats of the sport. C’mon now, boxing is over 100 years old, right? We surely have to have somewhere to put this man who transcended boxing in a way not seen since Mike Tyson!

The problem is, for the latter group, placing Oscar is going to be difficult. Prior to him, transcendent fighters of the last 50 years were a lock for the Hall Of Fame in Canestota, New York. No real thought was required. The only exception was Tyson, who was surely headed there (and might still be, depending to whom you talk to), but derailed himself with bizarre behavior both in and out of the ring. But list fighters such as Roy Jones, Jr., Muhammed Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard or Robinson, George Forman, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler and J.C. Superstar and there’s no question they belong. All were top draws garnering the biggest crowds and the greatest media attention, just like De La Hoya. Even non-boxing fans knew who they were.

Do you think of De La Hoya being as great as those fighters? Yes, he beat a faded Chavez (especially the second time), and has wins over inducted HOF’ers Pernell Whitaker and likely candidate Ike “Bazooka” Quartey. Many still believe he beat Trinidad, so that would count as another. However, all his actual career losses are to those headed for the Hall, as well: Trinidad, Shane Mosely (twice), Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Pacquiao. Although he sports numerous wins over other world-class competition just a notch below those fighters just mentioned, is that enough to be classified with the greats? Is there a Joe Frazier, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, James Toney or Sonny Liston on that resume’?

This is the argument that has been raging all week, with arguments on both sides putting Oscar in or out of the proverbial Greatest Of All Time list. Does that matter, though? Is the Golden Boy’s impact measured only in his in-ring accomplishments? Use that argument all you want, but there can be no denying his impact throughout boxing and beyond. As Dan Rafael of ESPN.com said, what other boxer would have his farewell press conference televised live on ESPNews? The answer is no one. Who else could pack 100,000 in the Sun Bowl for a meaningless fight with Patrick Charpentier? Regardless of Oscar’s actual merit inside the ring (which, as pointed out above, is still incredibly substantial), his impact on the fight game may never be replaced. And in this day of the “dying” sport of boxing (someone eventually needs to explain to me at what point a sport enters the “dying” stage), there can never been too many Oscar De La Hoya’s.

So while the debate rages on about where the Golden Boy ranks all time, I think I’ll prefer to remember his impact, which is Canestota-worthy. There were so many thrilling fights with top-level opposition that he never ducked. He never gave us less than a 100-percent effort, even when he was making millions. The sport was important to him, and still is, as evidenced by his promotional company that gives us fans quality fights. Hey, De La Hoya will never be confused with perfection, but he was sure perfect for boxing. Happy retirement, Oscar.