Boxing legend and Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya says he was ‘set up’ in 2007 when photos of himself dressed in drag surfaced in tabloids.

Speaking with retired NFL star Shannon Sharpe’s podcast, Club Shay Shay, the 51-year-old Los Angeles native admits he doesn’t really remember the impromptu photo shoot, but can recall the moments that led up to it.

‘I was drugged up,’ said De La Hoya, who has admittedly battled issues with cocaine and alcohol. ‘I didn’t even know it.’

As he explained to Sharpe, De La Hoya blames a pair of women for the incident, although he neglected to identify either one.

‘I was getting with bad people, this and that,’ he said. ‘Two women come in my room with a suitcase. That’s all I remember. And after that, I wake up the next day…’

Photos of a cross-dressing De La Hoya surfaced in 2007, but he denied their legitimacy at first
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Photos of a cross-dressing De La Hoya surfaced in 2007, but he denied their legitimacy at first

De La Hoya says he was 'set up' in 2007 when photos of himself in drag surfaced in tabloids
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De La Hoya says he was ‘set up’ in 2007 when photos of himself in drag surfaced in tabloids

As for the contents of the suitcase, De La Hoya seemed to have a pretty clear memory.

‘Women’s clothes, drugs, this, that,’ he said, suggesting the women knew exactly what they were doing. ‘They set me up. They set me up, but it’s OK, it happened. So what?’

Photos of De La Hoya wearing fishnet pantyhose, women’s underwear and a wig later surfaced in tabloids. And although De La Hoya initially tried to deny that it was him in the photo, the former Olympic gold medalist has since admitted that the photos were genuine.

‘I’m open about it,’ he said. ‘I don’t give a f***.’

De La Hoya also asked Sharpe if he’s ever experimented in a similar way.

‘Have you ever tried it?’ De La Hoya asked.

‘No,’ Sharpe said. ‘Hell nah. They tell me to put pantyhose on, hell nah. I ain’t gonna try it.’

Oscar De La Hoya is seen in high heels and a fishnet body suit nearly 20 years ago
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Oscar De La Hoya is seen in high heels and a fishnet body suit nearly 20 years ago

Shannon Sharpe (left) and Oscar De La Hoya (right) seen talking on Club Shay Shay
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Shannon Sharpe (left) and Oscar De La Hoya (right) seen talking on Club Shay Shay

As De La Hoya explained, they’re not easy to put on.

‘Think about, to get those panty hose on, it would take like two hours sober,’ De La Hoya said.

De La Hoya has battled a number of personal problems over his career and retirement from boxing.

He was accused of rape in 1998, but Mexican authorities ultimately declined to file charges and he maintains his innocence in that case.

A 15-year-old complainant previously sued him in San Bernadino, California Superior Court, accusing De La Hoya of raping her in Mexico in 1996. The two parties settled out of court.

He has also been in and out of rehab facilities for problems with alcohol and drugs.

These days, De La Hoya is still one of the most visible figures in the sport and currently promotes embattled boxer Ryan Garcia.