Oscar De La Hoya and Julio Chavez Say they Used to Drink Before Fights

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Former boxers Oscar De La Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez admitted to using drugs and alcohol during their career.

De La Hoya said he drank a lot before two high-profile fights - one against Pacquiao and the other he declined to mention. "We are very intelligent," De La Hoya said in an interview to ESPN Deportes' talk show "El Bar". "We knew how to plan to work the system."

The 39-year-old, who lost his last fight to Pacquiao, said he drank a lot during preparation for the fight, because he thought he could not lose. "I was drinking during camp," he said. "A week before the fight with Pacquiao, I was having wine, beers, because I said he is not going to beat me.

"I have the height, the weight, he couldn't beat me."

Chavez also admitted to drinking and using drugs a few times, but refused to say which particular bouts. "The truth, during my training, it increased more and more," said Chavez, who retired in 2005. "For example, at times, I would leave spaces of a month and a half without using drugs or alcohol, but afterwards, I would shorten that time.

"Then later, it would be one month, 20 days, later 15 days. One week, four days, three days, so it would not show in the doping (tests)."

Meanwhile, De La Hoya wished comeback-kid Ricky Hatton the best of luck, after the Englishman announced his return thre years after getting knocked out by Pacquiao. "I wish Ricky all the luck in the world," he said.

"He's still only 33 and who is to say he should not do this. I support him 100 percent."

De La Hoya, however, ruled out any chances of him returning to the ring. "'I am in fighting shape but I'm 39 and my body would not take it," he added. "Nothing will lure me back into the ring, not even the prospect of fighting Ricky."

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