Tiger Woods is everything Oscar De La Hoya isn't

When all is said and done with the boxing career of Oscar De La Hoya, there will be plenty of good things to say. He was one of the top fighters in multiple weight divisions, he attracted non-boxing fans to the sport, and he fought the best of his era.

Unfortunately for the Golden Boy, however, every time he faced the best competition, he lost. With the exception of De La Hoya’s embarassing loss to Bernard Hopkins, four of the five losses Oscar suffered were of the close decision variety. Close decisions De La Hoya could have won had he just done enough.

Compare that to one Tiger Woods, who has performed at his best against the best competition. In fact, a look at the five career losses by De La Hoya shows the difference between the pair. Two of De la Hoya’s losses came when Woods was representing the U.S. at Ryder Cup matches, while the U.S. lost, few put the blame squarely on Tiger. It is the three other losses that correlate perfectly to Tiger wins, that show us all we need to know about these two great athletes.

June 17, 2000: De La Hoya loses to Shane Mosley
June 18, 2000: Tiger Woods wins U.S. Open

Sept. 13, 2003: De La Hoya again loses to Mosley
Oct. 5, 2003: Woods wins WGC-American Express Championship

May 5, 2007: De La Hoya loses to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
May 6, 2007: Woods wins Wachovia Championship

When Oscar De La Hoya’s journey began, his aim was boxing greatness. By competing at the same time as Tiger Woods - a man who truly dominated his sport and will be considered an all-time great - it is apparent De La Hoya fell short of that dream.

–WKW