Professional athletes turn to social media sites to communicate with their fans and at the same time to their enemies. There were many instances that the use of twitter or facebook has created controversies instead of providing useful information to the general public. The latest sports figure who was hit for using his twitter account is Sugar Shane Mosley. He re-tweeted a story claiming Pacquiao was injected with steroids and HGh by a Filipino sparring partner. It turned out the story is a hoax.

Dela Hoya Tweets His Apology

However, the use of social media can also be a good channel for some to amend tainted relationship with other people. This is what the former boxing champion Oscar dela Hoya decided to do. Last week, dela Hoya tweeted his apologies to rival promoter Bob Arum and pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao.

“I would like to humbly apologize for any pain I have caused to you and or your family,” said dela Hoya. The sour relationship between the two promoters started years ago and the cold war between the two boxing promoter still continues. The latest example of their rivalry was Nonito Donaire’s decision to leave Top Rank and go to the Golden Boy Promotions.

Dela Hoya also urged Arum to put their differences behind and offer boxing fans great fights. “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,” dela Hoya posted in his twitter account.

According to online sources, this is the second time dela Hoya issued an apology to Bob Arum. He also tweeted last December a similar message. “I am writing these words with great sincerity. Bob arum first of all happy b day and second I want to apologize for anything that I have said.”

Bob Arum’s Response

Boxing writers immediately asked Bob Arum about these tweets. “I will say this, it is a very nice gesture on Oscar’s part. We’re grateful for that,” Arum told the Examiner. Many believe that this could be the start of a better relationship between the two promoters. In another interview, the chief of Top Rank Promotion said that he accepted dela Hoya’s apology.

Addressing Performance Enhancing Drug Issues

The Golden Boy also asked for forgiveness from Pacquiao whom he also have a not so good relationship. In fact, Oscar dela Hoya is one of the respondents in the steroid libel case filed by Pacquiao in Nevada. Dela Hoya joined Floyd Mayweather Jr. and boxing trainer Floyd Sr. in insinuating Pacquiao used performance enhancing drugs like steroids and HGH since 2009. In 2008, Dela Hoya lost to Pacquiao via 8th round stoppage which led to the retirement of the former boxing champion.

“I also want to apologize to Manny Pacquiao for any wrong doing in my part. You are a great champion,” dela Hoya posted on his Twitter account. “I have realized that by accepting my mistakes everyone around me will hopefully forgive me,” he added.

These statements from the former boxing champion could help him in the steroid defamation case. It would at least lessen his culpability.

Part of Rehab

Right now, Dela Hoya is undergoing treatment in a rehab facility in California. He submitted himself to drug abuse therapy because of his cocaine addiction according to online sources. The post on twitter is one of the things that he might have been told to do.

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