Oscar De La Hoya voluntarily admitted himself to a treatment facility to combat his ongoing struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.

De La Hoya announced his return to rehab the week of his promotion company’s biggest fight of the year – Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Canelo Alvarez. De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions backs Alvarez and is promoting Saturday night’s fight.

"I will not be at the fight this Saturday to cheer Canelo to victory since I have voluntarily admitted myself into a treatment facility," De La Hoya said Tuesday in his statement. "I explained this to Canelo and he understood that my health and long term recovery from my disease must come first."

De La Hoya first made his substance abuse struggles public two years. Since then, he has spoken openly about his ongoing treatment to keep his vices at bay. “The fight life, that was easy, he told the Los Angeles Times last month. “This is a battle I have everyday." While he had stated that he tries to go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings six days a week, he admitted that he sometimes falls short of the goal.

Before retiring from the ring in December 2008, De La Hoya had won 10 world titles in six classes and had taken home an Olympic gold medal.

– Chelsea Regan

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