Oscar De La Hoya doesn’t believe Ryan Garcia will join Zuffa Boxing after completing his Golden Boy contract, despite Ryan’s praise for his experience at its recent event. Keeping him, however, will require more than questioning the alternative.
“He was very complimentary, and I’m glad that it turned out great for him because it’s Ryan’s career that’s on the line. But no, I don’t think he’ll go with Zuffa. I don’t think that’s a good fit for him,” De La Hoya told The Ariel Helwani Show.
Asked to explain, Oscar attacked Dana White’s handling of boxing press conferences and questioned his authority within the operation. He didn’t identify specific contractual or financial reasons that would make Zuffa unsuitable for Ryan.
That leaves his viewpoint looking more like a promoter defending his position than evidence of where Ryan intends to sign. Ryan’s positive experience gives Zuffa something to build on if it pursues him. Oscar’s criticism doesn’t erase that impression.
Golden Boy still has one fight remaining with Ryan, and De La Hoya named Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez as his preferred opponents. Neither matchup is finalized. Oscar indicated that arranging the next major fight comes before discussing an extension.
That remaining appearance offers Golden Boy its strongest opportunity to make a case for staying. Delivering Haney or Lopez would demonstrate that Oscar can still secure valuable fights despite the disagreements between promoter and fighter.
There is a complication: a successful final appearance could also increase Ryan’s appeal to competing promoters. Golden Boy might deliver the payday and exposure that help him negotiate a more attractive deal elsewhere.
De La Hoya says he has spoken with Ryan since the Conor Benn fight and describes their relationship as good. That should help them conduct business, but it isn’t a commitment to another contract.
Oscar can doubt a Zuffa move. His more useful task is giving Ryan a reason to choose Golden Boy again. The next opponent, the terms, and the handling of that final fight will make a stronger argument than another attack on Dana White.
