It’s almost 16 years since Oscar De La Hoya walked away from boxing but ‘The Golden Boy’ still plays a prominent role in the sport as one of the game’s leading promoters.
During his illustrious career, De La Hoya carved out a reputation for himself as being a fighter who would take on all comers but who was the fastest fighter he ever faced?
In an incredible run that saw him capture world titles in six weight classes, De La Hoya took on some of the sport’s biggest names including Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao.
Looking back on his career, De La Hoya has spoken on what fighter had the most handspeed and the answer is Shane Mosley.
His fellow Californian defeated him twice, once controversially, and De La Hoya has paid tribute to his former rival.
“It was ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley in the first fight. He had amazing hand speed. With him it was just the speed behind his punches; even though you can see them coming, there were so many – and very accurate and great power,” said De La Hoya when speaking to The Ring in 2018.
A fighter like Pacquiao, he’s fast as well. He throws a lot of punches from different angles, and you get hit because you don’t know where they’re coming from. With Mayweather, he’s fast too, but his speed is more about timing.
“It’s not like ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley with four- and five-punch combinations. Mayweather is more like you throw a jab and he’ll counter it. That’s his speed. I think Shane Mosley in his prime was the fastest fighter I’ve met.”