Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya Reveal Drug Use in New Interview

Boxing heavyweights Julio César Chávez and Oscar De La Hoya are coming clean---literally.

In a revealing new interview with ESPN deportes, the two boxing champs admitted to abusing drug and alcohol use while training for prize fights.

On the premiere episode of the network’s new talk show “El Bar,” De La Hoya and Chávez said that towards the end of their careers both commonly abused alcohol and drugs.

The interview, which will air Friday night, was the first time in 15 years in which the former champions and rivals filmed and interview.

These revelations come just days before Chávez’s son, the current World Boxing Council Middleweight Champion Julio César Chávez Jr., will compete for a title of his own at one of the major boxing card events in Las Vegas on Saturday.

While De La Hoya was more candid with host Andres Aguilla about his drug and alcohol related abuse, Chávez did not reveal any specific details but did admit to it occurring on several occasions.

"The truth ... during my training, it increased more and more," Chávez told Aguilla. "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," he added. "One week, four days, three days, so it would not show in the doping [tests.]"

Knowing all too well how the system worked, De La Hoya said he was strategic in his use of alcohol as to not be detected.

"We are very intelligent," De La Hoya said. "We knew how to plan to work the system."

Leading up to the last year of his career, the drinking became a regular occurrence as De La Hoya was training for his fight against Pacquiao in 2008.

"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," he admitted.

Since those days both Chávez and De La Hoya have gone into rehab to combat their addictions and have been able to remain sober for a few years.

While De La Hoya is focusing on his career as a promoter, Chávez still has close ties to the boxing world as his son tries to build upon his legacy.