The latest installment of the tense relationship between Oscar De La Hoya and Ryan Garcia again played out in the public eye on social media, where De La Hoya, perhaps ironically, described Garcia as “having another episode”.
De La Hoya and his highest-profile fighter – often compared on account of their considerable marketability and athletics gifts – have often had an unpredictable working relationship since Garcia lost for the first time, to Gervonta “Tank” Davis, in April 2023.
Garcia, 26, was critical of De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions in the build up to his victory that December over Oscar Duarte, but though Garcia’s suitability to fight was widely questioned as he prepared for his date with Devin Haney in April 2024, from then until Garcia lost for the second time – to Rolando “Rolly” Romero 13 months later – it had become tempting to conclude that they were again on civil terms.
Golden Boy had been vocal in their defence of Garcia, regardless of the reality of him testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs after the high-profile fight with Haney that concluded with him being declared the winner until his positive drugs test meant his finest victory instead being reclassified as a no contest.
Also publishing what appeared to be a message sent directly from Garcia to De La Hoya, the promoter – who has previously spoken about his struggles with his mental health – posted on social media: “Unfortunately Ryan Garcia is having another episode. Ten days ago he’s talking about God and finding his path, then tonight he sends me this rant while watching his fellow Golden Boy fighters win. Bipolar disorder is very serious and I hope he gets the help he needs.”
The image he uploaded beneath it showed a message that read: “First of all fuck you, especially you for one, disrespecting me with that shitty contract because I lost but I’m your actual only current star fighter. You can suck a dick and I know you already do. So fuck you. You can kiss my ass. I’ll beat Rolly’s ass and whoever. I can’t wait ‘till I go against you again like I did with Duarte and to see your stupid ass face again looking stupid. Fuck you and that stupid offer, bitch. I’ll slap the fuck outta you just like Canelo [Saul Alvarez] and [Edgar] Berlanga.”
