Boxing legend and Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya says he was set up in 2007 when photos of him dressed in women’s clothing appeared in the tabloid press.
Speaking to former NFL star Shannon Sharpe on the podcast “Club Shay Shay,” the 51-year-old Los Angeles native admits that he doesn’t really remember the spontaneous photo shoot, but can recall the moments that led up to it.
“I was on drugs,” said De La Hoya, who admitted to having problems with cocaine and alcohol. “I didn’t even know it.”
As he explained to Sharpe, De La Hoya blames two women for the incident, although he neglected to identify any of them.
“I was dealing with bad people and stuff,” he said. “Two women came into my room with a suitcase. That’s all I remember. And then I woke up the next day…”
In 2007, photos of De La Hoya cross-dressing surfaced, but he initially denied their authenticity.
De La Hoya says he was “set up” in 2007 when photos of him in a women’s costume appeared in tabloids
De La Hoya seemed to remember the contents of the suitcase quite well.
“Women’s clothing, drugs, this and that,” he said, implying that the women knew exactly what they were doing. “They set a trap for me. They set a trap for me, but it’s OK, it happened. So what?”
Later, photos appeared in tabloid newspapers showing De La Hoya in fishnet tights, women’s underwear and a wig. And although De La Hoya initially tried to deny his identity in the photo, the former Olympic gold medalist has since admitted that the photos are real.
“I’m very open about it,” he said. “I don’t give a shit.”
De La Hoya also asked Sharpe if he had ever experimented in a similar way.
“Have you ever tried it?” asked De La Hoya.
“No,” said Sharpe. “No way. You’re telling me to wear tights, no way. I’m not going to try it.”
Oscar De La Hoya can be seen in high heels and a fishnet bodysuit almost 20 years ago
Shannon Sharpe (left) and Oscar De La Hoya (right) in conversation at Club Shay Shay
As De La Hoya explained, they are not easy to put on.
“Think about it, it would take about two hours to put on these tights on an empty stomach,” said De La Hoya.
De La Hoya struggled with numerous personal problems throughout his career and his retirement from boxing.
In 1998, he was accused of rape, but Mexican authorities ultimately declined to press charges and he maintains his innocence in that case.
Previously, a 15-year-old plaintiff had filed a lawsuit against him in the Superior Court in San Bernadino, California, accusing De La Hoya of raping her in Mexico in 1996. The two parties reached an out-of-court settlement.
Due to his alcohol and drug problems, he was also in rehabilitation clinics several times.
Today, De La Hoya is still one of the most famous figures in the sport and is currently promoting controversial boxer Ryan Garcia.