Ryan Garcia Blasts Promoter Oscar De La Hoya as 'Weird' After Missing Title Defense

Key points

• Ryan Garcia retained the WBC welterweight title by knocking out Conor Benn in the second round at a Zuffa Boxing event in Las Vegas.
• Garcia expressed deep disappointment that Oscar De La Hoya did not attend the fight, stating he had invited him to walk him out and that a seat was reserved for him.
• Garcia labeled De La Hoya 'weird' and questioned his maturity, noting that he had not spoken to or heard from the promoter since the event.
• Dana White denied preventing De La Hoya from attending, stating he would have called him if he intended to exclude him, and admitted he does not know why the promoter was absent.
• Garcia has initiated provisional talks with Dana White regarding a potential move to Zuffa Boxing, as he has only one fight remaining on his contract with Golden Boy Promotions.

Background

This dispute follows a long-standing public feud between Dana White and Oscar De La Hoya. Recent archive coverage from September 2026 highlighted conflicting accounts regarding De La Hoya's absence, with Golden Boy Promotions alleging credential denial while White maintained the promoter simply chose not to attend. The current development marks the first direct public criticism from Garcia himself regarding the incident.

How outlets are covering it

Outlets present differing nuances regarding the cause of the absence. Bloody Elbow and Sherdog focus on Garcia's emotional reaction, highlighting his use of the term 'weird' and his lack of communication with De La Hoya. MMA Fighting emphasizes Dana White's defense, quoting his insistence that he did not blacklist De La Hoya and that the promoter's absence was unexplained. While Bloody Elbow notes Garcia was initially calm, Sherdog and MMA Fighting confirm that Garcia had specifically requested De La Hoya to walk him out, a gesture that did not occur.

Why it matters

The incident signals a potential major shift in the boxing landscape, as Garcia's public criticism of his promoter and immediate provisional talks with Dana White suggest he may leave Golden Boy Promotions. This could mark a significant expansion of Zuffa Boxing's roster and a further escalation in the White-De La Hoya rivalry, potentially altering the future of high-profile boxing promotions.

What to watch

Garcia is expected to finalize his next move, potentially signing with Zuffa Boxing after his final fight with Golden Boy. The relationship between Garcia and De La Hoya may remain strained, and the outcome of these provisional talks will determine whether Garcia continues under the Zuffa banner or returns to Golden Boy.