Inside Oscar De La Hoya's Emotional Journey: The Truth About Travis Barker Raising Daughter Atiana

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Oscar De La Hoya opened up about why he let Travis Barker raise daughter Atiana in the Olympian’s absence.

De La Hoya, 50, confessed on the July 20 episode of the "Allison Interviews" podcast that he essentially fled. "I was filled with fear and chose to run away," he admitted.

De La Hoya and his ex-wife, Shanna Moakler, welcomed their daughter Atiana in 1999. However, their relationship came to an end after four years in 2000. In 2004, Moakler married Barker and he stepped in as a father figure to Atiana as they started their own family.

"I made an effort to be a full-time father for a few years, and it was a truly wonderful experience," De La Hoya confessed. "Raising a daughter was incredible, but there came a point where I questioned myself, 'Am I truly deserving of this?' I tried to convince myself that I wasn't worthy of love and that it was impossible to experience love in my life because of the lack of affection I received as a child."

De La Hoya opened up about his fears of being a parent, which stemmed from his challenging relationship with his own parents. The retired athlete revealed that his mom and dad never expressed their love or showed physical affection towards him, resorting to physical punishment whenever he expressed sadness."

"I acknowledge that I possess a kind personality and acknowledge my ability to be a father. However, there comes a moment when you attempt to persuade yourself that this is not who you are, and it becomes frightening. You start to question your worthiness of giving love."

While Moakler and Barker were responsible for taking care of Atiana, De La Hoya devoted his attention to boxing, which he attributes to keeping him on a righteous path. Nonetheless, De La Hoya admitted to occasionally checking up on his daughter during that time.

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"I was present but distant, you know? It wasn't the conventional 24/7 involvement of a father and mother," he stated on Thursday. "It didn't unfold like that, but unquestionably, she is my daughter and I cherish her."

Moakler and Barker had two children during their relationship: a son named Landon, who is now 19, and a daughter named Alabama, who is 17. They were together for four years before finally ending their relationship in 2008. Despite their split, Barker maintained a close relationship with his stepdaughter. He later found love with his current wife, Kourtney Kardashian, and Atiana also developed a strong bond with her. Recently, De La Hoya praised Barker for being a positive and caring father figure to his daughter throughout the years.

"I acknowledge that I did not play a major role in raising my children. Their mothers took on that responsibility and they deserve credit for it," he expressed to Entertainment Tonight in July. "I appreciate Barker for being a father figure to my daughter and I am grateful to Shanna for being a mother to Atiana. I understand my position and I accept it. I am undoubtedly a father and I take pride in that. However, I am genuinely grateful for their contributions, particularly Barker's commitment and involvement."