Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather have long been at odds with each other, with tensions dating back to their superfight over fifteen years ago. Even before they stepped into the ring, there was a palpable tension and hostility between the two fighters. Mayweather, known for his brash and cocky demeanor, ended up winning the closely contested battle in 2007. At that time, De La Hoya was still seen as the biggest star in the sport. Fast forward to the present, and it seems like history is repeating itself as emotions flare up between the two once again.
Recently, tensions have escalated due to De La Hoya’s concern that Mayweather is coming between him and his prized protégé, Ryan Garcia. Although Garcia’s relationship with De La Hoya has taken a turbulent turn in recent months, it was surprising to see images of Garcia going for a night run with Mayweather. This encounter seems to have influenced Garcia’s decision to no longer pursue a fight with Devin Haney, a highly anticipated match he previously expressed interest in. Instead, he now aims to face the exciting but seemingly limited Roland Romero. As Garcia’s promoter, De La Hoya is unimpressed by this sudden change of heart.
De La Hoya took to Instagram to voice his disapproval, posting, “Pre-run with Floyd = Ryan wants Haney. Post-run with Floyd = Ryan wants Rolly.” This statement clearly reflects his frustration with the situation. De La Hoya emphasizes the long-standing work Golden Boy has put into shaping Garcia’s career, transforming him into one of the biggest draws in boxing. He vows to turn the upcoming fight with Romero into a massive event, as they have always done in the past.
In his Instagram post, De La Hoya didn’t shy away from directly addressing Mayweather. He questioned Mayweather’s role as a promoter and stated, “Floyd, if you want to give Ryan the secret to defense in the ring, that’s great. Other than that, if you are still a promoter like it says here, f— off.” This direct and blunt approach further reveals the depth of De La Hoya’s frustration and his belief that Mayweather is encroaching on his territory as a promoter.
Both De La Hoya and Mayweather have transitioned from being great fighters to successful promoters. This transition has positioned them as rivals in the business of boxing. While they may have shared the ring as adversaries, their competition now extends to drawing in the most lucrative fighters. Ryan Garcia, with his popularity, power punches, and ability to attract casual fans, is currently one of the most famous fighters globally. Although he may not possess the generational talent that De La Hoya and Mayweather once exhibited, Garcia remains a highly valuable asset for any promotional banner.
The tensions between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather persist, with their rivalry spanning both their boxing careers and their roles as promoters. Ryan Garcia finds himself caught in the crossfire as his allegiances and fight choices come under scrutiny. As this saga continues to unfold, it is clear that the business aspect of boxing adds an additional layer of complexity to the ever-dynamic world of combat sports.
Leave a Reply