In becoming the first boxer to win world titles at six different weights, boxing's "Golden Boy" grew old against Felix Sturm.
Many in Las Vegas thought the doughty German had done enough to rob Oscar de la Hoya of his dream, but fight fans of the future will see only the result in the record books.
It was a remarkable triumph from an extraordinary fighter, whose warrior-like spirit and matinee idol looks have helped to make him the biggest pull outside the heavyweights.
And, although unable to follow it up with a shock triumph over undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, De la Hoya typically acquitted himself as well in that defeat as he always has in victory.
In truth, the Golden Boy's career has lost its way a bit since his defeat to Felix Trinidad in 1999, with a pair of close losses to Shane Mosley other blemishes on his record.
 | DE LA HOYA FACT FILE Born: 04/02/1973 Turned pro: 23/11/1992 Current division: Middleweight Record: 35(29)-3 Alias: The Golden Boy Height: 5ft 11in Reach: 72in Trainer: Floyd Mayweather Snr Promoter: Bob Arum |
De la Hoya's career started with a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics, the only one America won at Barcelona.
He celebrated with the US flag in one hand and acknowledged his heritage by holding the Mexican flag in the other, after a final victory rated by De la Hoya as his "most gratifying".
There have been many other highlights, including impressive defeats of Pernell Whitaker, Julio Cesar Chavez, John John Molina and Miguel Angel Gonzalez.
De la Hoya's fourth-round stoppage of legendary Mexican Chavez in 1996 to land the WBC light welterweight crown marked him out for greatness.
| TITLE WINS AT EACH WEIGHT 5/3/1994: Stops Jimmy Bredahl (WBO super featherweight) 6/5/1995: Stops Rafael Ruelas (IBF lightweight) 7/6/1996: Stops Julio Cesar Chavez (WBC light welterweight) 12/4/1997: Outpoints Pernell Whitaker (WBC welterweight) 23/6/2001: Outpoints Javier Castillejo (WBC light middleweight) 5/6/2004: Outpoints Felix Sturm (WBO middleweight) |
Then, 10 months later, he out-pointed the great Whitaker over 12 rounds to win the WBC welterweight belt and assuage any doubters.
After seven successful defences, De la Hoya lost his unbeaten record to Trinidad on a dubious 12-round majority decision in September 1999 - a result De la Hoya remains bitter about to this day.
A split-decision loss to Mosley less than a year later hinted De la Hoya was finding it tough climbing through the ranks and he lost another tight decision to "Sugar Shane" in 2003.
"Golden Boy" remains a formidable force in boxing, drawing crowds and generating money wherever he goes.
He earned �17m for the match with Hopkins and deserved every penny for the honest endeavour and excitement he has brought to a sport that will miss him when he soon retires.
MMIX
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