Oscar De La Hoya vs. Ryan Garcia and Dana White
Oscar De La Hoya has reignited not only his rivalry with Ryan Garcia but also a significant contentious relationship with Dana White in light of recent developments in the boxing industry. Recently, White’s Zuffa Boxing initiated a five-year media rights deal with Paramount and is pushing for the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, actions which De La Hoya has labeled as questionable and dubious.
Concerns Over TKO’s Involvement
In a discussion on the platform Uncrowned, De La Hoya expressed his concern over TKO’s involvement, suggesting their attempts to alter an established bill that has safeguarded fighter rights for years is “shady.” He emphasized the importance of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, established in 2000, which mandates financial transparency regarding revenue from boxing events, including television rights and ticket sales. This transparency allows fighters to better evaluate their compensation and avoid exploitation.
In comparison, the UFC’s model often results in the organization retaining the majority of revenue while fighters remain unaware of event earnings and may receive lower compensation than their boxing counterparts. As Zuffa aims to replicate this model in boxing, there is apprehension that fighters may be disadvantaged under such an arrangement. De La Hoya pointed out that the existing bill requires promoters to fully disclose earnings and described the Ali Act as a protective measure for athletes, which he fears TKO seeks to undermine.
Criticism of TKO’s Support
Highlighting recent criticisms against TKO’s support for the Ali Revival Act, several former UFC fighters voiced their worries during a California State Athletic Commission meeting prior to a unanimous vote endorsing the legislation. If passed, the act would empower TKO to manage a “Unified Boxing Organization,” similar to its operational framework for UFC, allowing them to host events and create a proprietary ranking system without competing with other promoters.
De La Hoya’s Promotional Strategy
Despite these developments, De La Hoya remains confident in his promotional strategy, asserting his commitment to nurturing raw talent and ensuring the dignity of boxing is upheld. He dismissed Zuffa’s approach as not being true competition, seeking instead to treat the sport with respect and integrate emerging fighters into a successful trajectory for their careers. De La Hoya’s notable successes with champions like Canelo Alvarez illustrate his long-term developmental focus that he argues contrasts with the more immediate, sometimes reckless strategies exhibited by Zuffa.
Future Matchup: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Jaron “Boots” Ennis
Amidst this backdrop, De La Hoya has set his sights on a potential showdown between his fighter, Vergil Ortiz Jr., and Eddie Hearn’s prospect, Jaron “Boots” Ennis, contingent on Ortiz’s upcoming fight against Erickson Lubin. A deal is reportedly in place to facilitate this high-stakes match in 2026, should both fighters prevail in their interim bouts. The prospect of Ennis giving up his earlier reluctance to face Ortiz now seems likely, with both promoters rallying behind the idea of a pivotal match that could define the future of their respective careers. De La Hoya underscored the significance of this matchup, labeling it as crucial for both fighters’ ambitions toward stardom in the boxing realm.
