Oscar De La Hoya Shares Vital Career Advice with Terence Crawford: “Legacy Over Money”
As Terence Crawford’s hiatus from the boxing ring continues, questions arise about the potential impact on his legacy. In a recent interview, legendary promoter Oscar De La Hoya weighed in on Crawford’s situation, drawing from his own storied career to offer crucial advice to the former welterweight champion.
De La Hoya’s words carry weight, given his extensive experience both inside and outside the ring. Speaking to interviewers from Little Giant Boxing, the “Golden Boy” emphasized the importance of staying active in the sport. He highlighted the example of Vergil Ortiz Jr., one of his marquee fighters, who is set to compete four times this year due to his eagerness to stay busy and make a mark in the boxing world.
For fighters like Crawford, De La Hoya stressed the necessity of remaining active to maintain momentum and build a lasting legacy. He cautioned against prioritizing financial gain over long-term success, urging fighters to focus on their legacy first and let monetary rewards follow naturally.
He remarked, “If any fighter’s listening, you gotta stay active. Like Vergil wants to fight, Virgil’s gotta fight four times this year. Because he wants to. So, as a promoter, you gotta facilitate that.”
“So a fighter like Crawford who’s a beast, obviously, you cannot stay idle,” he advised.
De La Hoya added, “Don’t think about I gotta get the biggest purse and you know the biggest offer. Think about your legacy because once you think about legacy and achieve legacy the money comes. Don’t think about the money and then legacy, think about legacy and then the money.”
In Crawford’s case, his inactivity has left fans eagerly awaiting his return to the ring. However, reports suggest that the Nebraska native is already eyeing a move to the super welterweight division. As the WBO welterweight champion, Crawford has exercised his rights to be nominated as a mandatory challenger in the super welterweight category, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in his career.
The decision to move up in weight class opens up a world of possibilities for Crawford, who will soon face off against the winner of the upcoming bout between Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora. With his sights set on capturing new titles and solidifying his legacy, Crawford is poised to make waves in his new division.
As fans eagerly await Crawford’s next move, the boxing world remains captivated by the prospect of witnessing one of the sport’s finest talents continue to etch his name in history.
