Ryan Garcia vs Oscar De La Hoya Feud Heats Up

De La Hoya publicly questions Benn bout

Oscar De La Hoya used an Instagram video to voice doubt about Ryan Garcia’s WBC welterweight showdown with Conor Benn on September 12. “Nobody is asking for this fight,” De La Hoya declared, adding that he would have favored Devin Haney for a rematch instead. The comments set off a sharp response from Garcia, who accused his co‑promoter of undermining his career.

Garcia responded on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” saying the criticism was confusing, especially since Golden Boy shares promotional duties for the fight. He expressed frustration, noting that despite being teammates he felt targeted by De La Hoya’s remarks. The fighter also pointed out that the public spat could affect fan enthusiasm for the upcoming bout.

History of a growing rift

The animosity between the two dates back to 2019, when Garcia voiced disappointment over his fight purses and refused a replacement opponent after Avery Sparrow withdrew. Golden Boy’s Eric Gomez and De La Hoya criticized Garcia, prompting a heated social media response that was later smoothed over with a multi‑year contract extension. The earlier resolution, however, did not prevent a deeper rift from forming over the years.

Another clash erupted in 2023, marked by legal correspondence and Garcia’s attempt to leave his promotional deal. The tension was evident at press conferences, and the dispute was not resolved as amicably as the earlier episode. These recurring clashes highlight the volatile nature of their professional partnership.

Financial stakes and future plans

Golden Boy and Ryan Garcia Promotions operate under a co‑promotional agreement that guarantees De La Hoya a share of the Benn fight and at least one subsequent bout. Garcia acknowledged the profit motive, questioning why De La Hoya would publicly undermine a fight his company benefits from. The boxer also highlighted the irony of a promoter criticizing a bout that financially rewards him.

The boxer reiterated his intent to depart Golden Boy after his current contract expires, aiming to launch his own promotional outfit, Ryan Garcia Promotions, following in De La Hoya’s entrepreneurial footsteps. Garcia has compiled a 25‑2 record with 20 knockouts, underscoring his marketability for future self‑promotion. If successful, his new venture could reshape the promotional landscape in the welterweight division.