'Sad to see': Concerns for boxing legend after 'trainwreck' interview

Fight fans have taken to social media in droves to express their concern for Oscar De La Hoya after the boxing great's bizarre broadcast during the Jake Paul fight.

Youtube star Paul scored the fastest win of his career after destroying MMA veteran Ben Askren for the third professional win in as many fights.

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However, much of the talk before, during and after the bout centred around De La Hoya, who started trending on social media for all the wrong reasons.

The American is a member of boxing's Hall of Fame after winning 10 world titles in six different weigh divisions, as well as an Olympic gold medal among stack of other honours.

Now a prominent fight promoter, the man known as The Golden Boy was part of the broadcast team for Triller, who had exclusive rights for the Paul fight.

De La Hoya was part of a panel in the live build-up to the bout but viewers noticed the 48-year-old often slurring his words during a number of bizarre rants during the broadcast.

Considering the boxing legend has admitted to battling drug and alcohol addiction in the past, viewers were understandably concerned when he lost his words at times and didn't seem sound of mind throughout the coverage.

De La Hoya admitted at one stage admitted that Mike Tyson's comeback inspired his own decision to step back in the ring - 13 years after hanging up his gloves.

“You can expect a f***ing real fight. A real fight," De La Hoya said when asked about his comeback bout.

“Whoever I pick to be my opponent. You bet your ass that I’m gonna be the best motherf****r out there.

“I always fought the very best, and I’m proud of that. And whoever it is, I’ve been retired for 14 years.

“But guess what I’m pick the very best.”

He added: “I don’t care who it is.

“I will fight until the end, I will bleed until the end. And I will go down to the end.”

Many fight fans described it as a "trainwreck" interview and suggested that De La Hoya might have been partying too hard in the lead-up.

Youtube star Paul destroys Askren

De La Hoya was part of the coverage for Youtube star Paul's latest win - his first round knock out of Askren the fastest victory of his fledgling career.

Paul left the mixed martial artist slumped on the canvas after a massive right rook that caught him flush in the face.

Askren managed to get to his feet, but referee Brian Stutts decided to end the fight despite Askren pleading his case.

The fight was called a little more than a minute before the first round ended.

Paul was the aggressor for pretty much the entire bout, with Askren landing few, if any punches. Paul dedicated the win to his security guard Shadow, who died 10 days prior.

"I deserved that s***," Paul said after the match. "This is the craziest moment of my life. I told y'all I was going to do it in the first round. I told y'all I'm a real fighter. I don't know how many times I got to prove myself that this is for real."

"This has been the hardest 10 days of my life. I've had to hold it together to keep this fight going. I'm just honored to be here."

The victory improves Paul's professional boxing record to 3-0, with his previous wins coming against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib and former NBA player Nate Robinson.

with Yahoo Sport US

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