“We are obviously not talking a Tiger Woods here” (Oscar De La Hoya)
Depending on how one may feel about either Oscar De La Hoya or Tiger Woods, anyone could make an argument that one is worse than the other. They both have caused their fans, sponsors, friends and family to reevaluate their feelings towards these two hugely popular and successful athletes.
Are they the “Golden Boy’s”, fans came to know and admire?
Tale of the Tape…
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Oscar has the edge with heart, proving that he is willing to face his issues with the media; Oscar was willing to sit down and talk to more than one media outlet about his transgressions. Oscar tweeted and still tweets about his issues, shortcomings and anything that may be on his mind. Tiger only faced or spoke to the media a couple of times and other than a prepared statement 3 months after his personal issues were out in the public only then did he speak about his issues. Edge Oscar.
Oscar, as of now has not lost any sponsors or his wife for his infidelity. Tiger and his wife have officially divorced; Tiger lost Gatorade, Tag Heuer, AT&T, Accenture and Gillett as sponsors. Edge Oscar. However, it is still a little early with Oscar.
Oscar has admitted to alcohol and drug issues (cocaine). Tiger has been linked to a doctor that gave HGH (Human Growth Hormones) to himself but not to athletes. Even though Tiger has not been caught with HGH or any other performance enhancing drug, we are living in an era of PED’s. It may be unfair to associate Woods with PED’s but he is guilty by association. A doctor he went to for some help was busted with HGH. Tiger is a professional athlete and good or bad, athletes are scrutinized far worse than the general public, so being linked to a doctor, no matter how little that interaction was is not a good image. Edge Even.
From the alcohol and drug issues Oscar has also admitted to some shocking photos that had surfaced a couple years ago, Oscar had denied vigorously that the photos were photo shopped. However, with Oscar’s admission this past week Oscar also admitted to the photos. You can view them here . Tiger has had no photos of him dressed up in women’s clothing or in any compromising positions…that anyone knows of. Edge by a huge margin Tiger.
Oscar is retired and Tiger may not be the Tiger he was 3 or 4 years ago. However, Oscar was dominated by Manny Pacquiao in his final fight. Tiger lost his number 1 ranking. A ranking he held for 281 weeks, the longest in PGA history. Tiger is still actively, albeit not consistently but Tiger is still playing golf. In regards to their places in their respective sports; Oscar is considered one of the best boxers of his generation but not close to being one of the best boxers of all time. Tiger is considered one of the greatest ever to play the game of golf, in any generation. Tiger may still become the greatest ever however Oscar will never hold that title. Edge Tiger.
In the end, Oscar had a solid case in stating he was no Tiger Woods, however, Oscar and his other issues work against him. It’s one thing to be a cheater and possibly a cheater with several women. However Oscar did still cheat and he has pictures of him with a stripper as well as being dressed up in women’s clothing. That in itself is far worse and those pictures are never going away or off the internet. One day both may have to tell their kids about their past and I am not sure how you go about explaining photos of you in Women’s clothing…lingerie.
Oscar is no Tiger Woods, but Tiger should be the one saying, he is no Oscar De La Hoya.
Tiger Woods wins by a clear unanimous decision.
And then…
While Oscar admitting to his issues is admirable and one has to give Oscar respect for facing the issues at hand, I question the timing of the whole thing. Why now?
One of Goldenboy’s promotional companies’ largest stars if not the largest star is going into the biggest fight of his career and Oscar comes clean now? I understand that a fighter is supposed to be able to block out most distractions if not all, yet these issues are not about Victor Ortiz, but it’s undoubtedly going to be somewhat of a distraction for Ortiz and Goldenboy Promotions. HBO 24/7 mentioned it a little on the second episode and Floyd Mayweather mentioned it as well- along with tweeting about it. I believe that the next two episodes will be heavily influenced with conversations about De La hoya’s issues. It makes for great TV and great ratings. If not, I will be surprised.
What will Ortiz think of all these non related issues coming up and will he get tired of hearing about them? In the end Oscar could have waited and talked about the issues at a later time. Maybe it was “his time”, maybe Oscar was thinking about his company and the idea that if he admitted to these issues then people would want to tune in to the Ortiz- Mayweather fight? That is a long shot, but then I ask again.
Why now?