Junior welterweight contender Ryan Garcia is gearing up for a crucial bout against Oscar Duarte, but the lead-up to the fight has been clouded by tensions with his promoters, Hall of Famers Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins of Golden Boy.
During a news conference, Garcia, who holds a -425 favorite status, claimed that De La Hoya and Hopkins are favoring his opponent, Duarte, for victory. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to Garcia’s already challenging journey, given his recent seventh-round TKO defeat to Gervonta Davis in April.
Garcia took issue with Hopkins’ statements about potentially deciding whether he should continue boxing after the upcoming fight. The 25-year-old boxer emphasized that his coach and team, not Hopkins, hold that decision-making authority. He also questioned the credibility of Hopkins, referencing a past statement where Hopkins claimed he’d never lose to a white boxer, only to be knocked out by Joe Smith Jr.
Ryan Garcia’s Boxing Return Marred by Promoter Dispute and Allegations
De La Hoya responded to Garcia’s claims in a now-deleted social media post, expressing concern about Garcia’s state of mind and suggesting he’s not focused on the fight. This public exchange highlights the strain in their relationship, with Garcia alleging a breach of his promotional contract with Golden Boy back in June. Golden Boy responded with a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of Nevada to enforce their contract, a case yet to be resolved.
In a deleted post, De La Hoya stated, “I’m really concerned about Ryan Garcia’s state of mind,” citing Garcia’s documented history of mental instability. He urged Garcia to focus on the fight instead of engaging in disputes with his team.
De La Hoya defended Golden Boy’s track record, emphasizing their role in building champions and orchestrating lucrative events, including Garcia’s last fight that generated $30 million for him. He urged Garcia to remain focused on his craft and not be swayed by interpretations of comments taken out of context.
The ongoing discord between Garcia and his promoters casts a shadow over his upcoming bout. The unresolved legal battle and public exchanges raise questions about the stability of the boxer-promoter relationship, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already highly anticipated fight.
As the boxing world awaits Garcia’s return to the ring, the drama outside it adds an unexpected element to the narrative, leaving fans and pundits wondering how these offstage issues might impact the young contender’s performance on fight night.