Oscar De La Hoya has taken legal steps to protect Golden Boy Promotions and Ryan Garcia. After warning Dana White and his team about potential legal ramifications related to an upcoming fight card, De La Hoya has now moved forward on these threats by filing suit in response.
De La Hoya and his team plan on issuing a cease-and-desist letter against Dana White and Zuffa Boxing over their purported interference with Ryan Garcia, the Golden Boy welterweight champion who plans on challenging opponent Conor Benn. Both fighters signed with Zuffa Boxing are under dispute in relation to making plans for title defense bout between Garcia and Benn.
Golden Boy’s attorney stated that the promotion has neither approved nor been involved in negotiations regarding the Garcia vs. Benn fight. This move came after reports surfaced that Dana White and Zuffa Boxing were planning to announce the fight publicly without Golden Boy’s knowledge or consent.
Golden Boy asserts that Garcia’s contractual obligations under current agreements with DAZN prevent any such fight from being arranged without their involvement, especially given Zuffa’s partnership with Paramount+. This partnership further complicates any attempts to finalize the bout outside of Golden Boy’s participation.
Previously, De La Hoya dismissed a proposed Garcia vs. Jake Paul matchup due to Paul’s events being held on Netflix, underscoring Golden Boy’s stance against outside promotional arrangements. This is not the first time De La Hoya has pursued legal action in such matters; he has previously issued cease-and-desist notices, including one in 2019 directed at Floyd Mayweather after Mayweather offered Ryan Garcia money for a fight without Golden Boy’s approval.
More recently, Golden Boy took legal measures against Vergil Ortiz’s manager for bypassing them during negotiations for another fight, showing a consistent approach to protecting their contractual rights.
The current dispute also highlights De La Hoya’s ongoing opposition to Dana White and TKO Holdings—owners of UFC, WWE, and co-owners of Zuffa Boxing. De La Hoya even traveled to Washington D.C. to speak at a Senate hearing, voicing concerns related to the TKO-backed Ali Revival Act.
While De La Hoya weighs further legal options, another promoter in England has already initiated proceedings against Zuffa for similar allegations involving fighter poaching and interference.
Oscar De La Hoya Sees Potential for Collaboration Despite Feud
Despite the escalating tension, De La Hoya indicates that collaboration remains possible. He emphasized the importance of working with all promoters, including Dana White and Zuffa, if it means making fights that the fighters want.
“This is the one thing I can tell you: We work with every promoter, even if it has to be Dana White and Zuffa,” De La Hoya said. “As much as I hate it, let’s go. Why not? Because the fighters want this fight. Ryan wants it. You have to work with the promoters to make these fights happen. If that’s what Ryan wants, that’s what he’s going to get. It’s a matter of details, a matter that all parties are happy.”
He also remarked that there will inevitably be interaction between him and Dana White throughout the process, joking that the news conference might be as entertaining as the fight itself.
De La Hoya appears to recognize Zuffa Boxing’s significant place within boxing, consistent with his previous collaborations, such as working alongside Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions on other notable fights.
Legal proceedings surrounding Ryan Garcia adds more uncertainty as to his next steps, though more details should become apparent as this situation progresses.