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Oscar De La Hoya talks about his addiction problem (VIDEO)

By April MacIntyre Aug 30, 2011, 19:13 GMT

Oscar De La Hoya - 10th Annual Harold Pump Foundation Gala - Arrivals - Hyatt Regency Century Plaza - Century City, CA, USA © Ken McCoy / PR Photos

Oscar De La Hoya speaks on his recent battle with substance abuse for the first time, exclusively to Univision’s “Aqui Y Ahora” in TODAY’S Special, “Oscar De La Hoya… La Pelea de su Vida” (The Fight of His Life). 

For the First Time, Boxer Addresses Recent Battle with Substance Abuse in Today’s Special “Oscar De La Hoya… La Pelea de su Vida”

Univision Network announced its broadcast of an exclusive interview with one of boxing’s hardest hitters Oscar De La Hoya during the one-hour “Aqui y Ahora” (Here and Now) special, “Oscar De La Hoya… La Pelea de su Vida” (Oscar De La Hoya… The Fight of His Life).

In a tell-all interview premiering today at 10 p.m. ET/PT, De la Hoya reveals to “Aqui y Ahora’s” Teresa Rodriguez how his addictions led him to lose his luster and almost his life.

In a riveting conversation, he speaks about the night before he registered himself into a rehabilitation center in Malibu and how his battle with alcohol and other illegal substances began.

De La Hoya also admits how he failed as a husband and father. He reveals the truth behind the controversial photographs that surfaced of him a few years ago decked out in racy women’s lingerie, drink in hand.

De La Hoya says he’s determined to move forward and mend the wounds he’s inflicted on those he loves most and acknowledges that this could be a lifelong battle - one he describes as the fight of his life.

Nicknamed boxing’s “Golden Boy,” De La Hoya is one of the top names when discussing the greats of the boxing world. Bursting onto the amateur scene shortly after graduating high school, he won the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. De La Hoya soon left the amateur circuit with a resounding record of 223-5 with 63 KOs. After that, he entered the world of professional boxing and went on to beat 17 world champions and win 10 world titles. De La Hoya has two children with his wife Millie Corretjer and three other children from previous relationships.

In 2002, De Le Hoya founded Golden Boy Promotions, becoming the first Hispanic to own his own promotional company. The company has set multiple broadcasting records and currently promotes the WBC Welterweight Champion, Victor Ortiz.