Ryan
Garcia has slammed Oscar De La Hoya over the promoter’s absence
from his latest fight.
Garcia defended his WBC welterweight championship against Conor
Benn on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas, stopping the Englishman in the
second round. De La Hoya wasn’t in attendance despite Garcia
previously expressing a desire to have his longtime promoter walk
him to the ring.
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Ryan Garcia says Oscar De La Hoya had a seat for his Conor Benn
fight but didn’t attend
Despite De La Hoya being at loggerheads with
Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO and Zuffa Boxing co-founder
Dana
White for years, the latter has reiterated that he didn’t
prevent the former from attending the event. The Golden Boy
promoter had been invited and even offered VIP access.
However, he didn’t attend the event. Garcia initially appeared
unfazed by De La Hoya’s absence. Days later, however, the champion
was far more critical.
“Honestly, nobody wanted him there,” Garcia told Ariel Helwani.
“Sometimes you’ve got to pick your battles; it’s not really a
battle I really want to pick right here. I wish Oscar was there, I
wish he walked out with me and I wish he would’ve been ringside no
matter what.”
According to Garcia, De La Hoya was allowed to attend but opted
against it.
“That would’ve shown his love for me just like I had imagined
someone who has been with me the entire time to do,” Garcia said.
“They did have a seat for you though, and you didn’t take that
seat. I don’t respect that and that disappointed me.”
Garcia further revealed that he hasn’t heard from De La Hoya since
the fight.
“I don’t know why he’s like that; he just doesn’t want to show up
for the people he’s supposed to love,” Garcia said. “I don’t know;
he’s weird, bro. He’s missing a part of himself… It’s really
disappointing. Where’s your maturity?”