Oscar De La Hoya Seeks Help for Substance Abuse, Checks into Rehab

Ex-Olympian and legendary boxer Oscar de la Hoya has reportedly checked into a rehab center to seek treatment and rehabilitation for substance abuse.

De La Hoya, who is also one of the owners of Golden Boy Promotions and Ring Magazine, has entered a rehab center voluntarily and told TMZ, "After doing an honest evaluation of myself, I recognize that there are certain issues that I need to work on. Like everyone, I have my flaws, and I do not want to be one of those people that is afraid to admit and address those flaws.

"Throughout my career and my life, I have always met all challenges head-on, and this is no different. I am confident that with the support of my family and friends, I will become a stronger, healthier person."

The popular boxing icon has requested media to respect his privacy as he goes through the difficult chapter of his life, saying, "I ask for respect and privacy as my family and I go through this process."

According to an earlier TMZ report, De La Hoya has posted a flurry of very introspective tweets in the past few days, including, "Take a deep breathe and let out all that anger that makes you hate. it really is going to be o.k."  and "Stop finding excuses not to live. life is controlled by what you make of it and not of what it makes of you."

Before checking into the rehab center, De La Hoya was actively running his own Golden Boy Promotions and has worked on several high-profile boxing fights for his company. 

De La Hoya has retired from boxing a few years ago after losing to Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

De La Hoya's company has been trying to arrange a fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in what appears to be the biggest and richest boxing event in history.