American Son by Oscar De La Hoya

I just got finished reading American Son by Oscar De La Hoya. I received the book on Monday and got into for real today. It was a very good book. The book dips into Oscar's life as a child and how he was raised, his close connection with his mother, amateur days, and his up and down lifestyle. It is not as dramatic as I thought when I received the book but still a good story. Oscar touches on how there was not a lot of communication in his household as he grew up. You always hear him talk about his mother, but the funny thing is they never said I love you. He speaks of his kids out of wedlock and how at first it did not settle him down like he had anticipated. The bad decisions he made as far as management early in his career is valuable information I think all up and coming boxers should learn from. Oscar speaks on how he did not realize at first how he was being misguided with his money. He thought what he was getting was fair and did not question much else. However he learned how a fighter needs to be in control of his money and business. I too found that information to be very valuable. He does not give direct advice but the lessons he learned and the way he speaks of it is good advice enough. Oscar speaks on how till this day how he feels his mother is watching over him still. He gives a very touching account of one incident in particular. I wished he had touched on it a little more, but you still got the idea. How he met his wife and how she treated him at first is actually very funny to anyone who has had to chase a woman. With all the money and popularity he had, it was funny to read the struggles he had to get Millie. I found his views on the trainers he has had over the years was good. Most people speculate on why there are changes in a fighters corners without ever really getting the true facts. I got a better view of Richard Schaefer in the book too. When you read it, you find out how much respect, admiration, and credit he gives to Schaefer. Honestly, it is well deserved based on what Schaefer did for Oscar in a personal and business standpoint. All in all I found this book to be pretty good. Personally I think he could have waited until he had fought his last fight to finish writing the book. However it is out and still a very good book to read especially if you are a fan of Oscar De La Hoya. It is not a hard book to read at all. If you followed his career, some of the things you are familiar with and learn a little bit more about. I sat and pretty much read the whole book in one day. So get yourself a copy and get a closer look at the man known as the Golden Boy.