Boxing is no stranger to conflicts, both inside and outside the ring. However, few disputes in recent years have garnered as much attention as the ongoing tensions between Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya. Once a promising partnership between an up-and-coming star and a seasoned promoter, their relationship has steadily soured, with public disputes and legal battles threatening to sever ties completely. The rift between Garcia and De La Hoya, who heads Golden Boy Promotions, has left fans and industry insiders speculating about the young fighter’s future and the implications of a potential fallout. As both sides continue to air their grievances in the public eye, the question remains: is this just a temporary rift, or is a full-scale feud inevitable?
When Ryan Garcia signed with Golden Boy Promotions in 2016, many believed it was the perfect fit. Garcia was a young, charismatic fighter with immense potential, and De La Hoya, a legendary former world champion turned promoter, had the experience and influence to guide him to superstardom. Under Golden Boy’s banner, Garcia’s career took off. With his lightning-fast hands, impressive knockout power, and social media savviness, he quickly became one of the most recognizable names in boxing. His Instagram and TikTok following soared into the millions, making him one of the most marketable athletes in the sport.
Golden Boy played a pivotal role in shaping Garcia’s career trajectory, securing high-profile fights and ensuring he remained in the spotlight. In return, Garcia brought youthful energy to the promotion, attracting a new generation of fans to boxing. De La Hoya often spoke highly of Garcia, touting him as the future of the sport. For a while, the relationship appeared mutually beneficial.
However, as Garcia’s popularity and confidence grew, so did his frustrations with his promotional team. He began expressing concerns about his pay, career trajectory, and the way Golden Boy was handling his fights. What once seemed like a harmonious relationship slowly started to unravel.
The first major cracks in the partnership began to surface when Garcia started voicing concerns about his fight purses. Despite his widespread popularity and ability to draw large audiences, Garcia felt he wasn’t being compensated fairly. He publicly criticized Golden Boy Promotions, suggesting that they weren’t doing enough to support his career financially.
In 2019, tensions escalated when Garcia was scheduled to fight Avery Sparrow, only for the bout to be canceled at the last minute. The sudden cancellation frustrated Garcia, who felt blindsided by the situation. Around the same time, he started hinting at his dissatisfaction with his contract and questioning whether Golden Boy truly had his best interests at heart.
Further tensions arose in 2021 when Garcia withdrew from a scheduled fight against Javier Fortuna, citing mental health struggles. While many in the boxing world supported his decision, there were rumors that Garcia’s relationship with Golden Boy was growing increasingly strained behind the scenes. Some speculated that the way Golden Boy handled the situation deepened Garcia’s discontent.
Following his hiatus, Garcia returned to the ring in 2022 with a renewed sense of purpose, but his dissatisfaction with his promotional team only seemed to intensify. In multiple interviews, he expressed frustration with how his fights were being negotiated and how his career was being managed.
In 2023, Garcia’s highly anticipated fight against Gervonta Davis was one of the biggest events in boxing. Although he suffered his first professional loss in the bout, his performance cemented his status as a legitimate contender in the lightweight division. However, after the fight, Garcia appeared to distance himself from Golden Boy Promotions.
The relationship between Garcia and De La Hoya took an even more dramatic turn when legal disputes surfaced. Reports emerged that Garcia had filed a lawsuit against Golden Boy Promotions, seeking to break away from his contract. The legal battle sent shockwaves through the boxing world, raising serious questions about whether Garcia and Golden Boy could ever repair their relationship.
As the dispute played out, both Garcia and De La Hoya took their grievances public. Garcia accused Golden Boy of lacking transparency in contract negotiations and failing to adequately support him as a fighter. De La Hoya, on the other hand, defended his promotional company, stating that they had done everything in their power to elevate Garcia’s career.
One of the most explosive moments came when De La Hoya appeared to downplay Garcia’s influence and importance to Golden Boy Promotions. In response, Garcia fired back on social media, stating that he felt disrespected and unappreciated. Their public exchanges became increasingly hostile, making it clear that their partnership was hanging by a thread.
Unlike many boxers who prefer to handle business matters privately, Garcia has been vocal about his frustrations on social media. He has repeatedly taken to Twitter and Instagram to express his dissatisfaction with Golden Boy, calling out De La Hoya and accusing him of prioritizing business interests over fighter well-being.
This approach has divided opinions among boxing fans and analysts. Some believe Garcia has every right to speak out, as fighters often feel undervalued and underpaid by their promoters. Others argue that airing grievances publicly is unprofessional and could hurt Garcia’s negotiating power in the long run.
De La Hoya, for his part, has not remained silent. He has used interviews and social media to push back against Garcia’s claims, often reminding him that Golden Boy helped build his career. At times, their back-and-forth exchanges have resembled a bitter personal feud rather than a business dispute.
With tensions at an all-time high, Garcia faces a crucial decision about his future. If he chooses to leave Golden Boy Promotions, he could explore opportunities with rival promotions such as Top Rank or Premier Boxing Champions. However, any departure would likely be complicated by legal battles over contract obligations.
A move to another promotion could give Garcia more control over his career and fight selection, but it also comes with risks. Golden Boy has played a significant role in securing high-profile fights for Garcia, and leaving could mean losing some of the promotional muscle that has helped him rise to stardom.
If Garcia and De La Hoya can somehow repair their relationship, it could benefit both parties. Golden Boy would retain one of its biggest stars, and Garcia would continue to benefit from the promotional power of an established company. However, given the public nature of their dispute and the apparent level of animosity, reconciliation seems unlikely.
For Golden Boy, losing Garcia would be a major blow. Although the promotion has a roster of talented fighters, Garcia’s ability to attract mainstream attention makes him a uniquely valuable asset. His fights generate massive viewership, and his social media presence brings new fans to the sport.
If Garcia exits, Golden Boy will need to focus on developing its next generation of stars. The promotion has a history of guiding fighters to championship status, but replacing a star with Garcia’s level of marketability will not be easy.
The feud between Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya has transformed from a subtle power struggle into a full-blown public dispute. What started as a promising partnership has deteriorated into legal battles, social media clashes, and public disagreements. As Garcia contemplates his next move, the boxing world is left wondering whether this rift can be mended or if a complete separation is inevitable.
Regardless of the outcome, this ongoing saga highlights the challenges that often arise between fighters and promoters. Garcia’s career trajectory will undoubtedly be shaped by how he navigates this conflict, and De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions will also feel the effects of whatever comes next. One thing is certain—this feud is far from over, and its resolution will have lasting implications for both men and the boxing world at large.