December 1, 2008 -- Boxing superstar, Oscar De La Hoya was honored with a 14-foot bronze statue in front of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA this week

De La Hoya, who has won numerous boxing titles in five different weight classes, never thought he will ever be honored in such a way. At the ceremony the former champion mentioned:

"I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be here with a statue of me next to Wayne Gretzky and Magic Johnson," said De La Hoya, 35. "Growing up in East Los Angeles, wanting to grow up and be a fighter, just wanting to be something and somebody, East Los Angeles instilled something in me that made me work hard, dedicate myself to my dreams and is something I am very proud of today."

His most notable efforts include creating the Cecilia de la Hoya Cancer Center for Women at White Memorial Medical Center in 2000, in honor of his mother who passed away from breast cancer when De La Hoya was 17, and establishing the Oscar de la Hoya Charter School in 2003, now educating more than 500 students from grades nine to 12.

 “To think it all started from humble beginnings in East Los Angeles and now this statue. This is such a wonderful tribute for myself and my family but this is also for all of the people in the Los Angeles community in general and East Los Angeles in particular, who have believed in and supported me throughout my career.

De La Hoya, departed immediately following the ceremony for Las Vegas, Nevada, where he meets pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao in “The Dream Match” Saturday night at the MGM Grand and live on HBO Pay-Per-View.