Oscar De La Hoya opened up on his political ambitions and asked "if Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger can do it, why can't I?"

The boxing great, who won 10 world titles across six weight divisions in a legendary career before becoming a promoter, spoke earlier this week of his potential plans to run for presidency.

Film star Schwarzenegger is a former governor of California, while businessman-turned-TV personality Trump has become one of the controversial and divisive United States presidents in history since winning election nearly two years ago.

De La Hoya this week revealed he is contemplating running for office and the 1992 Olympic champion has a particularly strong following among Mexican-Americans.

And the 45-year-old sees no reason why he could not another famous political success story.

"I am closely considering it, I've mentioned in the past that America was built on dreams, I want to be an example for people who have those dreams," he told Omnisport.

"I want to be an example that anything is possible. If an Arnold Schwarzenegger or a Donald Trump can do it, why can't I?"

Asked if those two notable examples were the inspiration for his plans, De La Hoya replied: "No, it's more embedded than that, more deep rooted than that. 

"I've always been approached over the years by millions of fans expressing to me their concerns and their political views I want to be that voice, I want to be a voice for the people."

'The Golden Boy', a hugely popular fighter during his in-ring career, believes there are plenty of parallels to be drawn with boxing and politics.

"Yeah [there are parallels]," he said. 

"You have to fight, you have to fight for the people, just how I fought in the ring you have to fight for the people."