De La Hoya Blames ‘Mental Instability’ For Garcia Rant

The relationship between boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya and star pugilist Ryan Garcia went straight into the toilet after “The Flash” was stopped by Gervonta Davis. Garcia claims he was “betrayed” by the retired “Golden Boy” but De La Hoya insists it was a case of emotional immaturity.

Canelo Alvarez, no stranger to De La Hoya drama, saw this coming from a mile away.

Ryan returns to the ring against once-beaten Mexican bruiser Oscar Duarte via DAZN pay-per-view (PPV) on Sat., Dec. 2, 2023 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. During the final pre-fight press conference, Garcia took a couple of potshots at De La Hoya’s promotional partner and former boxing champion Bernard Hopkins.

“One thing that’s been on my heart is the statements that Bernard made where he’ll decide if I’m going to finish or if I should continue boxing after this fight,” Garcia said. “He don’t decide that. My coach does, my team does. Everybody that grinds with me, day in and day out, that’s who decides. Nobody was telling him when to stop boxing. He stopped boxing at what, 45? So kudos to him.”

“Another thing I want to touch on is Oscar saying that we misinterpret what they say. It’s plain English,” Garcia continued. “I didn’t hear anybody speaking any language I don’t know. [Bernard] also said that he calls out all the bulls**t, the lies. The last time I checked, he said he’d never lose to a white boy, and then Joe Smith Jr. knocked him out of the ring. The last time I checked, Joe Smith Jr. was white. So, they be lying.”

De La Hoya later responded on Twitter.

“I have to say that I’m really concerned about Ryan Garcia’s state of mind,” De La Hoya tweeted (but later deleted). “Considering his history of mental instability (which he’s documented himself) his current erratic behavior shows he’s clearly not focused on Saturday’s fight. You won’t take my calls, Ryan I hope you’re okay.”

This could be a make-or-break fight for Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs), at least in terms of his current star power. No question a loss for “The Flash” will give De La Hoya and Hopkins more ammunition for the post-fight presser. As for Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs), two years older than Garcia at 27, he’s coming off a technical knockout finish over D’Angelo Keyes back in May.

For more boxing news and notes click here.