Oscar De La Hoya, the promoter of Ryan Garcia, has expressed his belief that there is speculation surrounding the advice influencing Ryan’s decision and has reaffirmed his intention to arrange a bout with Devin Haney.
De La Hoya did not specify the source of the advice influencing Ryan, but there are theories among fans that Floyd Mayweather Jr. may have played a role in persuading him not to pursue a fight with Haney.
Following leaked pay-per-view numbers for the December 9th fight against Regis Prograis, it is believed that the controversy stems from Haney not being considered a pay-per-view eligible fighter.
De La Hoya intends to schedule the Haney vs. Ryan Garcia fight for March or April, even if Ryan (24-1, 20 KOs) has indicated reluctance to face WBC light welterweight champion Haney. However, attempting to compel this match could lead to prolonged negotiations and potentially negative consequences.
Despite De La Hoya’s assertion that he is able to provide Ryan with advice, this has not materialized. There are concerns that if De La Hoya’s guidance is geared towards encouraging Ryan to undertake the Haney fight, it may not be in Ryan’s best interest.
If the bout were to proceed, it is anticipated that Haney would have the advantage over Ryan. This is due to Haney’s stronger skill set at this stage of his career and the fact that he is too large to compete in the 140-pound division, where Ryan currently fights.
Ryan is reportedly seeking a match against WBA light welterweight champion Rolando “Laurie” Romero next, as it is perceived to be a more winnable fight. Many fighters in the division find it challenging to compete against Haney due to his significant size advantage.
In an interview with fight hub tv, De La Hoya expressed his concern about the guidance received by Garcia, stating: “He’s just maturing now. I feel very strongly that he has a lot of bad advice, and I really do, and I feel bad for him because there are a lot of people who give bad advice.”
“Ryan is young. He’s just maturing right now. I feel sorry for him,” Oscar De La Hoya said, remarking on Ryan Garcia’s current position.
De La Hoya added that as a prominent figure in the sport, Ryan is vulnerable to external influences and the challenge of discerning sound advice. Despite expressing a desire to be a positive influence for Ryan, De La Hoya acknowledges his limited control over Ryan’s decision-making process.
“He asked me to get Haney, and that’s what I’m going to do.”. De La Hoya affirmed his commitment to proceed with negotiations for the Haney vs. Garcia fight, despite Ryan’s preference to face WBA light welterweight champion Rolando “Laurie” Romero next.
