De La Hoya Apologizes To Arum and Pacquiao Via Twitter…WOODS

These two men got along when they did business together for their 2008 fight. De La Hoya extended a peace offering via Twitter on May 26, saying he wants everyone to play nice, so boxing fans can benefit. (Hogan)

This is a brand new age we live in, isn't it? Oscar De La Hoya is doing some 12 step work, it looks like, via Twitter.

The retired fighter, currently in rehab battling cocaine and booze issues, according to the gossip site TMZ, took to Twitter to make some amends on Thursday afternoon. (I cleaned up the Tweets for spelling and grammar and such).

“Dear Bob Arum, first I would like to humbly apologize for any pain I have caused to you and or your family. I also want to apologize to Manny Pacquiao for any wrong doing in my part. You are a great champion. I have realized that by accepting my mistakes everyone around me will hopefully forgive me. With great humility I ask we work together for the good of the sport we dearly love. It is not fair to the fans and to the fighters. So today let's move forward and put on the best fights possible and show the world what we are capable of doing. Thank you Bob. Your friend Oscar

Simply stunning, no?

Cynics out there might see this as mere posturing, or inappropriate gestures which would be better suited to a behind-closed-door meeting.

I disagree; I applaud Oscar firmly, because he is indeed humbling himself to a humongous audience.

Sure, there is a calculating nature to the plea for everyone to get along. But Oscar's right, the fans will benefit if Arum and Oscar and Schaefer and Pacquiao, and yes, Mayweather too, can move beyond sniping. We in the media don't help matters by focusing on the mud slinging, and encouraging it by serving it up the a hungry public. Let us all follow Oscar's lead, and admit our culpability, so we can move forward, and not wallow, which only enriches some lawyers who don't need enriching.

Oscar, we at TSS appreciate your public displays of humility, and encourage all parties to get over past bad blood. Keep it professional, keep it classy, and keep the sport advancing. Your friends at TSS

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