Ryan Garcia expressed disappointment following promoter Oscar De La Hoya’s absence from his recent stoppage victory over Conor Benn. Despite co-promoting the event alongside Zuffa Boxing, De La Hoya did not attend, heightening tension surrounding Garcia’s promotional future.
Garcia stopped Benn inside two rounds in a high-profile bout co-promoted by Zuffa Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions. Long-standing bad blood between De La Hoya and UFC president Dana White cast a shadow over the joint venture leading into the event. Initial reports emerged claiming De La Hoya was denied event credentials, though White denied those claims outright. Boxing reporter Dan Rafael later reported that De La Hoya was provided a ticket located in the main crowd rather than his contractually designated seating area, which would have required him to walk through spectators to attend.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani after the fight, Garcia revealed his original vision for his ring entrance. “In the beginning, it was Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. that was going to walk out with me, and I wanted to get, maybe Oscar right there,” Garcia stated. “I think that would be iconic. Honestly, nobody wanted him there, and that’s the god honest truth.”
Garcia acknowledged the surrounding hostility while emphasizing his desire for his promoter’s presence at ringside. “That’s not a battle I really wanted to pick. I’ll say this though, I wish Oscar was there, I wish he would have walked out with me, and I wish he would have been ringside no matter what. That would have showed his love for me, the way I’d imagine somebody who has been with me the whole time to do.”
The fighter criticized De La Hoya for declining the alternative seating provided by event organizers. “OK, that don’t want to let you walk out, they did have a seat for you though, and you didn’t take that seat. I don’t respect that and that disappointed me.”
Garcia confirmed he has not received any post-fight communication from De La Hoya, adding further strain to a partnership that began when Garcia signed with Golden Boy Promotions in 2016. The friction comes at a crucial moment for both parties. Garcia made a point to highlight that the victory over Benn represented the final bout on his current contractual deal with Golden Boy Promotions, opening the door for potential changes in his future promotional management.
