Immigration Issues in Boxing

Boxer Denied Entry for Fight

On the undercard of a HBO boxing match on Saturday night, Daniel Ponce De Leon easily beat Gerson Guerrero to retain his WBO junior featherweight title. De Leon was scheduled for a 12-round championship fight with Alejandro Barrera. However, Barrera was unable to enter the United States because he had a different birthdate on his passport and his birth certificate, according to Eric Gomez, matchmaker for Golden Boy Promotions.  Click here for the boxing part of the story.

Oscar De La Hoya Opposes HR 4437

Oscar De La Hoya, the Golden Boy from East LA, recently knocked out Ricardo Mayorga in the 6th round.  As De La Hoya entered the ring, he wore a headband that expressed his opposition to anti-immigrant legislation. It included a symbol that said no to bill HR 4437. “My parents were immigrants,” De La Hoya said. “I believe in people who only want the chance to work. Yes, they should love the red, white and blue. Yes, they should live in this country for a while. But this is the land of opportunity, and they only want an opportunity to work.”  Click here for more about the fight.  Several boxers promoted by De La Hoya have worn patches registering opposition to HR 4437.

KJ