The Golden Boy

I don't know much about this figure overall, since I am not much into competitive sports.

But HBO is ever a great network that continously provides a vast and interesting filmography of great dramas, or, in this case, documentaries.

This one does indeed fall very much in line with their other great works. It is very tightly paced and keeps up the interest beautifully. It is very well cut and edited, and showcases some good cinematography.

Overall, I would highly recommend this, whether you are interested in the subject or not. It does raise interest throughout its run regardless, and is a very competently made piece!

"The Golden Boy: Oscar De La Hoya" is a two-part HBO documentary series that explores the life and career of the legendary boxer. It delves into his rise to fame, his struggles with addiction, and his legacy in the sport.

"The Golden Boy: Oscar De La Hoya" is a raw and honest portrayal of a complex and fascinating figure. It offers a glimpse into the highs and lows of his career, as well as the personal demons that he battled throughout his life. The series is well-paced and engaging, and it provides a comprehensive look at De La Hoya's legacy.

It's a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you've finished watching it.

Not sure why this is getting so few reviews, but it's definitely worth the time. The fight footage is fantastic (duh), but much more importantly, the background about La Hoya and the interviews and the insights (from La Hoya as well as his family/partners/kids/business associates) are great. And the story is super interesting - I saw some of his fights on TV years ago, and liked him, but had no idea what was really going on...

Ok, yeah, I'm not completely convinced that even now he's come completely to grips with all that's happened (read: that he's done) in his life based on his character - particularly his treatment of some people close to him - but the fact that he even made this film, and is this honest in it, says a lot. The biggest thing that comes thru is that, for good or for bad, taking risks is always the way to go. I never realized how much he had done that.....

But most importantly, it's just really fun to watch!

De La Hoya fights evoked such paroxysms of excitement, weeks and weeks ahead of his fights. Never ducked the hard fight. Pure pugilist. What a boxer! Some fighters come along now and then and they seem so I'll-suited to the sport, if it weren't for the fact that they just glide balletically around as if gravity isn't a concern for them. Gracefulness wrapped inside a left lead that he would detonate whenever he saw the gap. It's such a huge shame that these warriors, these towering figures, cannot experience and enjoyment. As he says himself: "I can see in my eyes that I don't want to fight. I just wanted to be loved". A heartbreaking, flawless examination of one persons manifestation of pain.

Opening your self up and being honest with everyone else around you, sharing your true feelings, taking the risk that your ego may take a huge hit are all marks of a true champion.

Making an attempt to live your life in a way that would avoid hurting other people is noteworthy (i.e. 'What is hurtful to you do not do to someone else').

However, living every day in service to your fellow human beings is something else (i.e. 'Love your neighbor as your self').

I hope that Oscar and my self figures this out some day. I have been incredibly blessed to escape a childhood of so much pain that I almost took my own life.

Thankfully, a 'higher power' intervened and now I'm in a position to make other people's lives better.