Oscar De La Hoya confirmed today that Ryan Garcia has chosen to fight WBA light welterweight champion Rolando “Laurie” Romero in March.
De La Hoya stated that if Ryan wants to fight Lawrie, Golden Boy will initiate negotiations for the bout.
Oscar mentioned that he will strive to secure the “best PPV contract structure” for Ryan Garcia against Lawrie, who is a PBC fighter and will be featured on Amazon Prime Video’s PPV soon.
The success of this fight will rely on Ryan’s large following on social media, as Boxing enthusiasts might not be willing to pay for it. Lawrie’s recent victory over Ismael Barroso was unsettling to watch due to its unconventional ending.
Ryan’s plan is to face Lawrie before considering more fan-friendly matchups with WBC light welterweight champion Devin Haney, WBO champion Teofimo Lopez, or a rematch with Gervonta Davis, with the aim of maximizing his chances of winning.
Ryan is set to fight lightweight Oscar Duarte on Dec. 2 in Texas. Under his new trainer Derrick James, the 25-year-old showed regression from his previous bout against Gervonta Davis, emphasizing the need for improvement.
De La Hoya expressed his approval of the idea of Ryan potentially fighting three times in 2024, should the March fight materialize.
De La Hoya’s readiness to negotiate Ryan Garcia vs. Laurie Romero
“Whatever Ryan wants next, we’re going to arrange it. We will begin working on what is best for the team as a whole,” said Oscar De La Hoya in response to a question posed to Ryan Garcia.
“Ryan Garcia aims to return in March, spend quality time with his family, and then dedicate himself to rigorous training after the holidays to prepare for March. I think that would be ideal,” De La Hoya added.
For Ryan, it would be more advantageous to focus on the most significant prize fight possible, as losing to Romero would jeopardize his prospects for lucrative matchups with Haney and Teofimo Lopez. While Romero is considered an average fighter, Ryan is even less impressive.
“By commencing in March, there is a possibility of three fights in that year. This could be a remarkable year for Ryan,” asserted De La Hoya.
De La Hoya also expressed his admiration for Devin Haney, described as a fighter with exceptional assessment skills. He indicated a need to consider Haney’s representatives, highlighting the importance of a fighter’s ability to remain composed during bouts, regardless of crowd reactions.
He concluded by stating his intent to engage in discussions with Ryan Garcia, who has demonstrated a keen interest in facing Lawrie, emphasizing his commitment as a promoter to secure the best terms and to once again deliver one of the most significant PPVs of the year.
