OSCAR DE LA HOYA EXPLAINS CHOICE TO ENTER REHAB

Oscar De La Hoya is opening up about why he checked himself into rehab -- claiming he was abusing cocaine and alcohol, cheating on his wife ... and even considering suicide.

The boxing icon spoke with Univision -- saying, "There were drugs, my drug of choice was cocaine and alcohol. Cocaine was recent. The last 2 years, last 2-and-a-half years and I depended more on the alcohol than the cocaine."

De La Hoya says he's been sober for three months -- but he's still undergoing treatment. He also says he's joined Alcoholics Anonymous.