Junior welterweight contender Ryan Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) finds himself locked in a bitter feud with Golden Boy Promotions co-founder Oscar De La Hoya. The source of contention arises from Garcia's perception of insufficient support from his promoter, especially following his April knockout defeat to Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Adding salt to the wound, De La Hoya was conspicuously absent from the post-fight press conference due to alleged death threats.
In a turn of events, Garcia states he felt more supported by Davis’ team than his own. De La Hoya retaliated on social media, arguing that Garcia's loss could be attributed to him and his advisor Lupe accepting a questionable rehydration clause. He also disputed the idea of Davis’ team being more supportive by noting the absence of Al Haymon, a key figure from Davis’ camp.
Despite signing a contract extension until 2026 with Golden Boy Promotions, Garcia has carved out an independent path. He made waves by pulling out of a fight scheduled for January 28 against Mercito Gesta, preferring to directly face Davis in April after a nine-month ring absence. This choice was frowned upon by De La Hoya, who believed the January bout would have been beneficial for Garcia and that he disadvantaged himself by agreeing to Davis’ terms.
Adding fuel to the fire, De La Hoya recently shared a photo with WBA junior welterweight titlist Rolando Romero (15-1, 13 KOs), who is considered a prospective opponent for Garcia. This action was perceived as a slight by Garcia, leading to accusations that De La Hoya prioritizes money over the well-being of his fighters. As this public disagreement continues, the future relationship between Garcia, De La Hoya, and Golden Boy Promotions remains uncertain.
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