Ryan Garcia: “I should’ve listened to Canelo about Oscar De La Hoya”

Ryan Garcia is looking to break ties with Oscar De La Hoya and says Canelo Álvarez once warned him about the Mexican-American promoter.

What caused the rift between Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya?

The rift between Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) and De La Hoya has been simmering for years, fueled by legal disputes and clashes over his career. Now, with the 26-year-old’s Golden Boy Promotions contract nearing its end, Garcia told Ring Magazine he regrets ignoring Canelo’s advice about the man who once promoted them both.

“Why does he hate the only guy making him money? Gervonta Davis and I brought in $100 million for our fight. What other Golden Boy fighter is a star? They don’t have one,” Garcia said. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful — I respect my fellow fighters — but that’s just the truth. Canelo told me this a long time ago, and I should’ve listened.”

Garcia and De La Hoya’s relationship deteriorates

The breakdown in their relationship escalated after Garcia’s loss to Davis. De La Hoya claimed Garcia pocketed over $30 million from the bout, but the California native fired back, saying Davis’ corner showed him more concern that night than his own promoter did.

Things got worse after Garcia’s doping suspension. He was scheduled for an exhibition fight in Japan but failed to fulfill the contract, prompting streaming platform Fanmio to sue both him and Golden Boy Promotions.

One last fight for Garcia under Golden Boy

At this point, neither side sees a path to reconciliation. Garcia says the only solution is to finish out the final bout on his deal before moving on with a new promoter.

“Oscar doesn’t respect me. I don’t think he ever believed I was a good fighter — and honestly, I don’t care,” Garcia said. “I’ve got one fight left with him, and that’s it. If he can build another star, good for him. I’m moving forward.”

Garcia turned pro at just 17 in June 2016, but didn’t make his Golden Boy debut until later that year, when he fought José Antonio Martínez on the Bernard Hopkins–Joe Smith Jr. undercard at the Forum in Los Angeles.

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